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Manchester United u18s took on Sunderland at the Academy of Light on Saturday as they looked to continue their 100% record in the league against a top side who had only lost once themselves going into the match.
It looked like it would be a tough outing when Sunderland looked comfortable on the ball form the off, but the first big chance of the match fell to Bendito Mantato who fired a shot against the post early on.
In the 18th minute, the winger gave United the lead when he converted from close range the cut-back cross from Victor Musa.
Just seven minutes later, u18s debutant Samuel Lusale crossed into the box for what looked like an easy claim for the Sunderland keeper, but a mistake saw the ball drop free for Mantato to poke home his second of the match.
Sunderland pulled one back just before the break through Fin Geragusian, who headed off the post and in to make it 1-2.
Adam Lawrence made a change at the half, with Shea Lacey coming in for Lusale.
The second half started at a blistering pace with the goals flying in from both sides. Reece Munro restored United’s two-goal lead just minutes after the restart when his shot was deflected past Sunderland keeper Ben Metcalf.
Sunderland were still in it though and added another of their own shortly after when Geragusian’s knock down in the box was finished off by Ben Kindon.
In the 59th minute, Sunderland fully squared it up at 3-3 with the Armenian Geragusian grabbing his second of the match.
Sunderland crossed into the box for the number nine to take a touch before expertly slotting past Will Murdock.
Summer signing Chido Obi-Martin came off the bench in the 63rd minute but it was another substitute in Jim Thwaites who would make the all-important impact late on.
The winner of both the u16s and u18s goal of the season last year, Thwaites is no stranger to producing the magic and he did it again with just three minutes remaining on the clock.
Thwaites picked up the ball and dribbled past a number of Sunderland defenders before curling his effort past Metcalf to seal the three points and make six wins from six for the season.
United’s focus now turns to Europe as they take on FK Žalgiris in the UEFA Youth League on Wednesday night.
United: Murdock, Kamason, Armer, Munro (Mills 63), Kukonki, Baumann, Fitzgerald, Mantato, Ibragimov (Thwaites 70), Lusale (Lacey 46), Musa (Obi-Martin 63)
Subs not used: Byrne-Hughes
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