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Manchester United U21s took on Norwich City on Friday night and were given the chance to play at Carrow Road.
While it was yet another fixture that received no coverage from MUTV and United’s social media channels after reported cost cuts, supporters were delighted to find out that Norwich City broadcasted the match free of charge on their Youtube channel.
Travis Binnion’s side got off to a bad start when they committed too many forward in the opening minutes which saw Harry Amass vacate the left back position leaving the entire wing free for Brandon Forbes to get in behind and deliver to Errol Mundle-Smith in the middle to finish from close range past Hubert Graczyk.
Despite falling behind early, United didn’t let it faze them though and quickly assumed control of possession, pinning Norwich back in their half.
Amass looked to play through Ethan Ennis but the pass was cut out but the loose ball was picked up by Ethan Williams to run through the gap in the Norwich backline before striking low past the keeper with the benefit of a slight deflection just after the 20-minute mark.
Although United were on top for the majority of the first half, the home side were still playing their part with dangerous counter attacks, one of which came around the half-hour mark when they broke in behind Jaydan Kamason on the left wing but Graczyk was there with a strong save with his feet to keep the scores level going into the break.
Binnion looked to the bench at the break, introducing Ethan Wheatley who looked to respond after a disappointing performance against Doncaster Rovers in the EFL Trophy during the week.
Challenging Wheatley to come off the bench worked a treat as he put United in the lead just three minutes after his introduction. Dan Gore spread the ball to the left wing for Williams to deliver a low cross which Wheatley turned home at the front post.
Two minutes later, United extended the lead when Malachi Sharpe pounced on a mistake at the back from Norwich to play a give and go with Gore inside the box before slotting low past the keeper with his left foot.
United looked like they were running away with it in the 70th minute when Wheatley added his second, a delicate chipped finish after being played through by Ruben Curley.
Norwich weren’t ones to give up though, first they forced an incredible double save out of Graczyk before Tyler Fredricson cleared off the line.
They eventually pulled one back moments before the 90th minute with a quality delivery to the back post that was volleyed home by Dan Ogwuru.
Finley Welch’s spectacular long range effort that curled into the top right corner made it 3-4 and a nervy ending for United was on the cards.
Deep into the eight minute of injury time, a low cross was redirected onto goal but Graczyk came up with another match winning save to keep Norwich out before Wheatley was able to race up the other end of the pitch to tap into an open net after Norwich had committed the entire squad forward including their keeper.
Ethan Wheatley hat-trick vs Norwich City u21s
🎥courtesy of Norwich City YouTube pic.twitter.com/GZM9qenfA7
— RedYouthUnited (@RedYouthUnited) September 27, 2024
The win seals three points for United who push up to 9th in the table. Binnion’s side now turn their focus to the Premier League International Cup where they will take on Hertha Berlin II on Tuesday night at Salford City’s Peninsula Stadium.
United: Graczyk, Kamason, Fredricson, Jackson, Amass, McAllister (Rowe 79), Gore (Moorhouse 66), Sharpe (Missin 72), Curley, Williams, Ennis (Wheatley 46)
Unused subs: Kingdon
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