Manchester United’s under-19s got their UEFA Youth League campaign off to a flying start with a 3-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven.
A superb Callum Gribbin free-kick and a double from captain Marcus Rashford saw the Reds take all three points at the Sportcomplex de Herdgang ahead of the senior squad’s clash with the Dutch champions later tonight.
The scoreline may indicate that Nicky Butt’s side had a comfortable game, but it was PSV who had most of the ball and the hosts spent most the time on the front foot.
PSV’s best chance came two minutes in, when United keeper Dean Henderson tipped Sam Lammers’ shot on to the post. Further chances followed, with Martijn Berden’s deflected shot dropping just over the crossbar.
However, it was United that took the lead against the run of play. PSV captain Maarten Peijnenburg was booked for blocking off debutant Josh Doughty on the edge of the area, and Gribbin stepped to curl the free-kick brilliant into the top corner.
United doubled the lead early on in the second half. Timothy Fosu-Mensah was brought down by Peijnenburg in the penalty area, and Rashford powered his penalty into the roof of the net.
PSV had further chances, with Peijnenburg heading wide from a corner and RoShaun Williams blocking what looked to be a goal-bound shot from Berden, and they were made to pay for the profligacy, as Rashford put away a first-time shot from Tyler Reid’s cross after a brilliant counter-attack.
The Dutch side looked for a way back into the game, but after Peijnenburg was sent off for a second yellow after bringing down Rashford, the Reds saw out the game comfortably.
United line-up:
Henderson; Reid, Warren, Williams, Borthwick-Jackson; Fosu-Mensah (Diedrick-Roberts 79), Redmond, Whelan (Scott 65); Gribbin, Doughty (Kenyon 76), Rashford.
Subs not used:
Dorrington, Sang, Dunne, Boonen.
Comments.
Loading comments…