Manchester United’s Under-21s ran riot over Norwich City at Old Trafford tonight, with striker Will Keane notching five of the seven goals.
Andreas Pereira slotted home a penalty and Timothy Fosu-Mensah joined in the act, scoring his first goal for the under-21s as Warren Joyce’s side put on a show for Louis van Gaal at the Theatre of Dreams.
Joyce fielded a strong side, with Phil Jones, Pereira, Memphis Depay and Adnan Janzuaj all included, and the floodgates were opened thirteen minutes in, with Keane firing home his first after being set up by Pereira.
Twitter: Great run and skill by Memphis to set up Keane for his second. Give him time and he will come good #mufc https://t.co/MoI0VsrSG1 (@Regi1700)
Keane’s hat-trick was complete two minutes after the start of the second half. After Norwich defender Joe Crowe gifted Memphis possession, the Dutch winger ran into the box and once again set up the striker to tap in from close range.
United’s fourth came five minutes later, with Pereira coolly slotting home a penalty after Ray Grant was deemed to have handled the Brazilian’s cross. And on the half-hour mark, the Red Devils’ would have their fifth goal – the pick of the bunch.
Twitter: U21s: Five goals tonight for Will Keane. None better than this beauty… #mufc https://t.co/nJRsADysAW (@ManUtd)
The rout continued as Memphis sent Fosu-Mensah, who came on for an injured Guillermo Varela, through on goal and the young Dutchman calmed slotted the ball home for United’s sixth.
The rout could only be completed by one man, and it was Keane that did with his fifth of the night – set up by captain James Weir, who had shrugged off the attentions of a Norwich defender before playing Keane through with a super through ball.
The Under-21s remain in second place in the Under-21 Premier League table, four points off leaders Sunderland, although United have three games in hand over the Black Cats.
