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Manchester United U21s travelled to Loughborough University on Friday night to take on Nottingham Forest in Premier League 2 action.
With the season approaching the end, United were looking for a result to ensure they finished within the top 16 to advance to the play-offs.
The opening stages saw the match go back and forth as both sides looked to find their feet and it was Charlie McNeill who created the first big chance when he chased down a long ball to win the ball in Forest’s area before rounding the keeper and striking towards the open goal but the recovering defender made a magnificent goal line clearance.
The match then became one-way traffic for the most part as Forest threatened and United struggled to get any sort of passing game going under the press of Warren Joyce’s home side.
The lone spark for United was McNeill who latched onto another ball before working space into Forest’s box and striking low but he was denied by a good save.
Forest’s danger man Detlef Esapa Osong was causing all sorts of trouble, especially when he drifted out to United’s righthand side. Forest’s number nine hit the back of the net just after the 40th minute but it was quickly ruled out for offside.
Osong then came close again just before the halftime break, forcing a top save from Elyh Harrison.
Into the second half, it was much of the same as United continued to look sloppy in possession and unable to keep up with Forest’s intensity.
Jaydan Kamason lost the ball at the back to give Forest a chance but Sam Murray was on hand to make an important block.
Osong then cut through United coming inside from the left to shoot from 10 yards out but he was denied again by a strong hand from Harrison.
Substitute Ethan Williams added a bit of life to the attack for United and provided a delightful cross for McNeill who poked towards goal, hitting it off the right post.
Late in the match, Osong was played in behind down the left again but despite many chances, he still couldn’t find a way to beat Harrison in goal who walked away as the clear man of the match.
With the match edging towards a close, an over-the-top challenge from Jamie Newton on Sam Murray saw the Forest substitute see a straight red card in injury time.
Fortunately, Murray was back on his feet quickly but there was no time for United to use the man advantage and the match ended 0-0.
The draw was enough to clinch a playoff berth for United though as they remain in 15th place with one match remaining. A top 12 finish to qualify for the Premier League International Cup next season is still technically within reach for United but it will require results to go their way on the final matchday.
United: Harrison, Kamason (Kingdon 86), Bennett, Aljofree, Murray, Devaney, Curley (McAllister 63), Scanlon (Williams 63), Oyedele, Mather, McNeill (Biancheri 86)
Unused subs: Plumley
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