Manchester United U21s 4-0 Manchester City U21s: Match report
In their penultimate game and the first of two Under-21 derbies to close the season, it was Manchester United that were the winners at Old Trafford as they demolished Manchester City 4-0 in a game where the use of the ball proved more decisive than the time on it.
The scoring got underway early in the game, taking just four minutes for Adnan Januzaj to thread through a ball for James Wilson, who narrowly beat the offside trap to get through, and, with a City defender by his side, sent the keeper the wrong way expertly to give them an immediate lead.
Following the goal, the game got into a pattern which continued throughout most of the encounter – Manchester City held on to the ball for lengthy periods of time with United looking to counter. City had a half chance as Kean Bryan hit an early shot on the half volley from around 20 yards out, which forced Joel Pereira to get down well to push away.
City continued to play in front of United, with Aaron Nemane getting some down the right against United loanee Andy Kellett. The home side did get another chance before half-time as Reece James, excelling in a new defensive midfield role, slipped through a nice pass for the onrushing Kellett who drove inside down the left before hitting a shot behind the goal.
The left-back received a glare from Januzaj who was in the middle waiting for the cut-back, before City’s Angelino flashed a shot narrowly wide in added time – which meant that United’s Under-21s went in a goal to the good.
Two chances for either side early in the second half set the tone for the result of the game. There was confusion in the United box from a City free-kick near the touchline, and Ashley Smith-Brown poked a weak effort at goal as Pereira found Tom Thorpe, who eventually cleared away. On the 53rd minute, only a minute after Manchester City’s chance, United doubled their lead. Fine work from Joe Rothwell set up Januzaj who cut in and beat two men before curling home on his right foot.
Manchester United remained resolute at the back as they came under yet more pressure from City’s probing, Captain Thorpe marshalling his team mates to perfection as always, and putting yet more pressure on Louis van Gaal for recognition.
Substitute Jack Byrne had a chance to narrow the lead as fellow sub Jose Angel Pozo chipped a ball over for him but Pereira got out quickly to block the shot. This showed that new goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek’s work with improving keepers reactions coming off the line was not only helping David de Gea, but filtering down to the younger players as well.
City continued to dominate possession, with stats having them hovering around the 65% mark, similarly to first half. However, despite having the ball they weren’t hurting their opposition, being restricted to long distance efforts.
United, on the other hand, looked more threatening on the rare occasion they held on to the ball and on the 65th minute Januzaj hit a shot at City goalkeeper Angus Gunn, which bounced up for James Wilson who was unable to keep his header down only a few yards out.
Donald Love made a fantastic tackle running back to stop City from running through on goal and shortly after Bryan was fouled for a late challenge James, their frustration was clearly on show as they were away that only a win could keep them in with a shout of taking the title from the favourites United.
City’s star man Seko Fofana, recently back from a spell at Leeds, didn’t have much luck on the night but nearly earned an assist, as he set up the lively sub Byrne – who’s first touch left Tyler Blackett behind before shooting wide with his left foot in an effort that proved to be City’s last of note in the match.
From here on out it was the turn of United’s substitutes to have their say. A quick give-and-go between James Weir and Wilson set the dominant forward off down the left wing, before the striker crossed the type of ball he’d like to be receiving for Ashley Fletcher to slot home with his first touch of the game in the 79th minute.
This put United in the ascendency and they controlled proceedings after their third, also more clinical in their possession. Just two minutes later, Fletcher squared the ball for fellow sub Matthew Willock, who curled the ball off the post and in from 20-yards out to get not only the goal of the game, but his first at Under-21 level.
The score line was harsh on City who played their part in the match, however they were made to pay the price for their profligacy in front of goal. The win for the United Under-21s means that only a point was needed in their final game in the return fixture against City, to keep Chelsea at bay and win the title.