In a weekend fuelled with derby success for Manchester United, Paul McGuinness’ Under-18’s continued their success with a 1-0 victory over Manchester City.
A single goal from Callum Gribbin was enough to hand the Red Devils the victory, in a miniature derby at Altrincham’s Moss Lane. The two academy outfits met in the sun of Manchester, and a noteworthy attendance kicked-off proceedings between the noisy neighbours.
The Reds had enjoyed their play-off phase during the league campaign, and remained unbeaten heading into the weekend clash. Gribbin allowed the youthful Devils to enjoy their prolonged success, as City had aspirations for their first win.
Having lost the opening fixture to West Bromwich Albion, City countered against United regularly as both teams took an attacking style to the game from the opening minutes. The passion and enthusiastic of the rivalry was clear within both line-ups, and they worked well to cancel out each other’s opportunities.
With the midfields of the respective teams running the tie early on, nothing could separate the clubs in the first-half. Marcus Rashford could have given the Reds the lead and forced a fine save out of goalkeeper Charlie Albinson, before seeing his second effort scooped off the line by defender Cameron Humphries.
The visitors also gained their fair few chances, with Marcus Wood testing George Dorrington before watching another frame sail wide of the post by inches. Despite the break, the second-half produced a similar tempo between the two sides, and with the number of opportunities both teams created, it was simply a matter of time until the scoring was opened.
Manchester United were able to edge in front in the 59th minute courtesy of Gribbin, who arrived on the edge of the penalty-area while little danger impended City. When bought to ground with a somewhat unnecessary challenge, the midfielder stepped up to talk the resulting set-piece himself and find the back of the net. The gracefully struck left-footed free-kick left Albinson with little hope, and the blow turned out to be fatal for the Citizens.
McGuinness’ side could have also doubled their side less than 60 seconds into the restart, with defender Cameron Borthwick-Jackson watching his thunderbolt effort blast the woodwork. United dominated the second-half and generally took control of the clash.
City came close one final time through substitute Aaron Nemane, and as the youngster came agonizingly close to an equaliser with a tremendous individual moment, he could only watch on as United celebrated a derby win courtesy of Gribbin’s tantalising effort.
United: Dorrington, Borthwick-Jackson, Tuanzebe, Fosu-Mensah; Croskery, Scott, Redmond, Thompson, Hamilton; Gribbin; Rashford
Subs not used: Whelan, Byrne (GK), Gomes, Makela, Dunne
