Manchester United u21s hosted Manchester City in the u21s Manchester derby on Saturday afternoon at Carrington.
Due to Premier League restrictions against broadcasting the match live and United’s decision to make all matches at Carrington closed to spectators, what is one of the biggest matches of the season for Travis Binnion’s side turned into more of a friendly to be watched by virtually no-one.
Not only that, but the club allowed the U18’s, U21s and women all to be scheduled at the same time, leaving fans unable to take in all three games.
United started brightly with the majority of possession in the first half.
The first chance of the match came Sam Mather’s way as he curled a long range effort just wide of the right post.
It was virtually all United throughout the opening 45 minutes with Ethan Wheatley having a number of chances that he will be left disappointed that he couldn’t finish off.
Jack Fletcher almost extended his tally for the season with a low-driven shot that went just the wrong side of the post.
United had a deflected cross cannon off the post but the fortune on the day was with City, as ultimately a mistake at the back from United gifted the visitors a goal heading into the break.
A misplaced header gave the ball to Farid Alfa-Ruprecht, who made no mistake when he rounded Hubert Graczyk and finished into an empty net.
Into the second half, United pressed high to win possession and on this occasion Wheatley kept his cool to find the bottom corner and draw it level.
But after making changes at the break, City came out in the second half like a new side and looked set to make United pay for the missed opportunities in the first half.
In the 68th minute, Jaden Heskey, the son of former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey, converted from Alfa-Ruprecht’s cross to give City a 1-2 lead.
Despite chances falling the way of Ethan Ennis and Jack Fletcher, a clever turn on the ball from Will Dickson preceded a chipped finish to give City the 1-3 victory to claim all three points.
Binnion’s side will look to bounce back on Tuesday night in the EFL Trophy as they travel to take on Doncaster Rovers, a rare treat for United fans as they match will be broadcasted live on Sky+.
United: Graczyk, Ogunneye (Missin 87), Jackson, Kingdon, Amass, Devaney (Curley 64), Collyer, Ennis (Sharpe 64), J. Fletcher (Rowe 64), Mather, Wheatley.
Unused sub: Murdock.
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