Man United U-23 Matches 2018/19
 

MANCHESTER UNITED RESERVES FIXTURES 2017/18

PREMIER LEAGUE 2

11 Agustus - Fulham U23 2-2 Man Utd U23
18 Agustus - Man Utd U23 3-1 Aston Villa U23
25 Agustus - Southampton U23 vs Man Utd U23
1 September - Man Utd U23 vs Stoke U23
15 September - Man Utd U23 vs Reading U23
23 September - Middlesbrough U23 vs Man Utd U23
28 September - Norwich U23 vs Man Utd U23
20 Oktober - Man Utd U23 vs Sunderland U23
29 Oktober - Wolves U23 vs Man Utd U23
3 November - Man Utd U23 vs Newcastle U23
24 November - West Brom U23 vs Man Utd U23
8 Desember - Man Utd U23 vs Middlesbrough U23
16 Desember - Reading U23 vs Man Utd U23
21 Desember - Derby U23 vs Man Utd U23
8 Januari - Aston Villa U23 vs Man Utd U23
12 Januari - Man Utd U23 vs Fulham U23
18 Januari - Man Utd U23 vs PSV U23
26 Januari - Man Utd U23 vs Paris Saint-Germain U23
2 Februari - Man Utd U23 vs Southampton U23
19 Februari - Stoke U23 vs Man Utd U23
2 Maret - Man Utd U23 vs Norwich U23
12 Maret - Sunderland U23 vs Man Utd U23
6 April - Man Utd U23 vs West Brom U23
16 April - Newcastle U23 vs Man Utd U23
27 April - Man Utd U23 vs Wolves U23

Home matches are played at old Trafford and Leigh Sports Village

Re: Man United U-23 Matches 2018/19
 

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Manchester United's Under-23s remain unbeaten after a 1-1 draw with Southampton that ended the home side's 100 per cent start to the campaign.

All of the significant action at the Saints' Staplewood Campus came in the second half with DJ Buffonge's 56th-minute penalty for the Reds being cancelled out by Marcus Barnes 10 minutes later, before Callum Slattery was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Tahith Chong.

It took 20 minutes for the first real shot to arrive but Jake Hesketh's drive, after Angel Gomes was dispossessed just outside his own box, produced a routine save for United goalkeeper Matej Kovar. While Southampton caused a few problems from set-pieces, United relied on Buffonge's driving runs through the middle of the pitch to engender some kind of sense of danger.

Slattery lashed over the bar for the hosts before they wasted a golden chance three minutes prior to the half-time whistle. Yan Valery burst into the box and crossed for Michael Obafemi but the ball broke instead for Tyreke Johnson, who should have scored. Instead his shot, lacking power, was well saved by Kovar.

Barnes thumped another effort off target from distance and the Saints will feel they posed the greater questions in the opening 45 minutes.

There was a hope the second half would be more entertaining and an early effort by Buffonge suggested this would be the case, even if Southampton keeper Jack Rose made a comfortable save. Obafemi was guilty of a wayward header to Johnson's inviting cross from the left and it proved a costly miss for the home side as three minutes later, they conceded a penalty.

Buffonge cleverly kept the ball in close to the goalline and was chopped down by Valery to give the referee an easy decision to make. Despite the claims of Gomes and Tahith Chong, Buffonge wanted the responsibility to score the penalty and he duly obliged by sending Rose the wrong way.

Unfortunately, for the third successive game, the Reds conceded an equaliser after netting first. Obafemi's near-post drive was beaten away by Kovar and, from the corner, Barnes claimed a straightforward goal for Southampton, even if the ball appeared to go in off his shoulder.

Slattery was then dismissed for a wild tackle on Chong, receiving his second yellow card, and that provided a chance for Ricky Sbragia's side to go for the winner. However, Obafemi was handed another glorious opportunity for the Saints when latching onto George Tanner's misplaced header but Kovar managed to get a touch to the finish to send it over the top.

Will Smallbone's attempt also tested Kovar but the Reds dominated the closing stages without being unable to forge an opening.

United: Kovar; Tanner, Poole, R. Williams, O'Connor; Garner, Hamilton, Buffonge; Gomes, Bohui, Chong. Subs not used: Carney, Warren, Barlow, Sang. Whelan.

NEXT UP

Sbragia's side are at Old Trafford for a home clash against Stoke City on Friday 31 August (19:00 BST kick-off).

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Re: Man United U-23 Matches 2018/19
 

UNDER-23S MATCH REPORT: UNITED 1 STOKE CITY 0

Manchester United’s Under-23s continued their encouraging and unbeaten start to the season with a narrow 1-0 victory over Stoke City at Old Trafford on Friday evening.

A lone goal from birthday boy Angel Gomes, in the 37th minute, was sufficient to earn the Reds three points in an entertaining and keenly-fought contest. Ricky Sbargia’s lads now have eight points from two home wins and an equal number of draws on the road.

There was small gathering of supporters, housed in the lower tier of the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand, as the game got underway with United defending a deserted Stretford End.

The crowd may have been sparse but they were given a pleasant surprise when on reading the teamsheet and seeing Argentinian international goalkeeper Sergio Romero alongside Portuguese new-boy Diogo Dalot, who was making his first appearance in the famous red shirt.

This was the second consecutive Friday that Stoke City had despatched a team to face United in Manchester and they were certainly hoping for a better outcome than their Under-18 side experienced a week ago, when they were defeated 5-1 at The Cliff.

And this was also the second meeting of the season between these two sides following the friendly/training game at City’s Clayton Wood, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

he game commenced at a very healthy pace with play switching constantly form one end to the other. Real openings were at a premium but both goalkeepers, Romero and Stoke’s Jakob Haugaard, had to be on their toes and alert to the ever-present threat.

The visitors had their best chance up to that point, shortly after the half-hour mark, when skipper Jake Dunwoody tested Romero’s reflexes with a fierce drive from the edge of the penalty area.

Moments later, and United found themselves in front when Gomes hit the net following a one-two with Nishan Burkart. Something was needed to break the deadlock and Gomes provided just that with a peach of goal to give United the edge.

Romero was back in action immediately after the restart diving full length to black a shot from Stoke winger Daniel Jarvis.

Charlie Adam, Stoke’s 32-year-old Scottish international midfielder (a maximum of two over-age players are permitted in the under-23 league) started to pull the strings for the visitors and as a result they enjoyed a good spell of possession.

They couldn’t turn the pressure into goals, but it sent a clear message to United that they still had a battle on their if they were going to claim their second victory of the season.

Newcomer Dalot left the field, with eleven minutes remaining, to warm applause from the crowd.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Kovar; Dalot (Tanner 79), Poole, Williams R-S., O’Connor; Garner, Hamilton; Chong, Gomes, Bohui (Bohui 56); Burkart (McIntosh-Buffonge 71)
Substitutes not used: Fojtiček, Whelan

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kipernya kok Kovar ya mas bukan Romero?

Re: Man United U-23 Matches 2018/19
 

Editor Unitednya mungkin ngantuk pas bikin artikelnya, hehe.. :D

Re: Man United U-23 Matches 2018/19
 

UNDER-23S: MANCHESTER UNITED 1 READING 1

First-team stars Marcos Rojo and Diogo Dalot both made guest appearances at Old Trafford on Friday night as United's Under-23s maintained an unbeaten start to the season with a hard-fought draw against Reading.

It was a thoroughly absorbing and entertaining Premier League 2 game that could have gone either way and it was remarkable that neither team managed to score more than a solitary goal each, through Ben House for the visitors in the first half and Joshua Bohui for the Reds in the second period.

Argentina defender Rojo was named alongside fellow centre-back Ro-Shaun Williams on Ricky Sbragia's teamsheet, while summer signing Dalot was retained in the side after making his first appearance in United’s red shirt in the win over Stoke City at this level two weeks ago.

Angel Gomes was promoted to wear the skipper’s armband with Regan Poole, who had captained the side in the previous four outings, listed as one of United’s five substitutes.

There was a small but nonetheless enthusiastic gathering of supporters in the lower tier of the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand as the game kicked off with the Reds defending the Stretford End.

United’s mission to preserve an encouraging start to the campaign – four games played, two wins and two draws – received a setback in the 11th minute when the Berkshire side snatched the lead with a headed goal from striker Ben House.

Barely five minutes later, the Reds had Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar to thank after he pulled off a brilliant save to keep out Darren Sidoel’s free-kick from the edge of the area. Sidoel was later yellow-carded for a clumsy challenge on Zak Dearnley when the United no.9 was endeavouring to weave his way through the Reading defence.

Dearnley showed no ill effects as, soon afterwards, he hit a terrific shot that required a spectacular save from the visitors’ number one, Luke Southwood. The Royals' keeper displayed his athleticism again minutes later, to prevent Tahith Chong’s drive from finding the target.

United were slowly building up a head of steam and it appeared only a matter of time before parity would be restored. That said, it took an astonishing goalline clearance by Reds defender Williams to stop Callum Marriott from doubling Reading’s lead.

The second half started brightly with United forcing two quick corners and then Chong exchanged passes with Gomes before hitting a shot that went inches wide.

The momentum was affected when Rojo came off with an apparent problem in the 54th minute and was replaced by Poole, although coach Sbragia later told MUTV he thought the first-team defender would be okay after spending time with the medical staff.

Despite losing their most experienced star, the Reds drew level twenty-one minutes into the second half. It was a brilliant team goal, set up by Dearnley’s pinpoint right-wing cross and converted by Bohui from close range.

All United’s hard work in getting back on terms was threatened in the closing stages, however, as Reading started to turn the screw.

The Reds’ defenders, with Dalot completing 90 minutes, were certainly busier than the visitors' back four and had to make several vital interceptions and last-ditch challenges. But on the balance of play and scoring opportunities across the evening, the final score of 1-1 was just about right with both sides taking some reward from the match.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Kovar; Dalot, R. Williams, Rojo (Poole 54), O’Connor; Gomes, Garner (Barlow 78), Hamilton; Chong, Dearnley (Buffonge 79), Bohui.

Substitutes: Fojticek, Tanner.

Scorer: Bohui 66.

Reading Scorer: House 11.

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Re: Man United U-23 Matches 2018/19
 

Berikut beberapa foto dari pertandingan tim akademi United U-23 lawan Reading U-23 :

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DnE2zmBXsAESEGJ.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DnE2_FxXcAEUnuK.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DnFWN-hXcAIKvRj.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DnFGO4zWwAIxbbN.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DnFGL4OWsAA01It.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DnFGNR6WsAAqs0j.jpg

Re: Man United U-23 Matches 2018/19
 

UNDER-23S: MIDDLESBROUGH 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 2

Ricky Sbragia's lads stretched the unbeaten start to the campaign to six matches, and also moved to the top of the league table, with this ultimately comfortable win over Middlesbrough in the North East on Sunday afternoon.

Tahith Chong netted United’s first goal with a splendid free kick, just after the break, and Joshua Bohui sealed the win fifteen minutes from time with a predatory close-range finish.

The match was staged at Heritage Park, the home venue of Bishop Auckland. One of the great sides in amateur football history, the Bishops moved there in 2010 after being resident for more than a century at Kingsway, where they shared a ground with the local cricket team.

United, wearing the change strip of all-blue to avoid a clash with Boro’s red and white, had the first genuine chance of the game, in the 6th minute, when Angel Gomes took a short pass from Bohui before hitting his shot straight at home ‘keeper Brad James.

There was very little to choose between the sides during the opening half-hour, but United did go close twice in a matter of minutes with Zachary Dearnley's shot and Regan Poole's header putting the hosts' defence under strain. At the other end, the Reds' no.1 Matĕj Kovář was far from redundant as Boro found ways of testing his agility and handling.

United finished the first half in the ascendancy, but were still looking for the elusive opening goal.

That was all to change three minutes after the restart when, having been fouled on the edge of the area, Chong took the free-kick himself and with a beautiful curling shot put the Reds into the lead.

Two minutes later and United’s advantage was almost doubled when James fumbled a speculative shot from Gomes.

Boro striker Stephen Walker very nearly found the leveller, in the 55th minute, after exchanging passes with substitute Stephen Wearne, but his well-struck drive flew inches over Kovář’s crossbar.

United continued to hold sway, but Boro were far from being overwhelmed and as the game reached its three-quarter mark they looked more than capable of getting themselves on level terms.

An unlikely pairing very nearly brought a second goal for the visitors, however, when Lee O’Connor crossed from the left to his fellow full-back Tyrell Warren, who was narrowly off target with a diving header.

Fifteen minutes from the end, Sbragia's players put daylight between themselves and Boro when Bohui grabbed goal number two. The striker started and finished the move that brought the goal, showing excellent determination to force the ball over the line after an initial one-two with Gomes had the home defence at sixes and sevens.

The hosts were denied what looked like a certain penalty in the closing minutes when Kovář felled Tyrone O’Neill, but the referee was having none of it and booked the Boro player for simulation.

The decision not to award a spot-kick helped Kovář and company to see out the game with a clean sheet, another pleasing aspect for Sbragia and his team to take from this successful Sunday trip to Teesside.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Kovář; Warren, Poole, Williams R-S., O’Connor; Gomes, Garner (Whelan 86), Hamilton; Chong, Dearnley (Buffonge 73), Bohui (Gribbin 86).

Substitutes not used: Woolston, Barlow.

Scorers: Chong 48, Bohui 75.

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Re: Man United U-23 Matches 2018/19
 

UNDER-23S: NORWICH 0 UNITED 1

Ricky Sbragia’s Under-23 team returned to the summit of the league table after grinding out a 1-0 win over Norwich City in deepest Norfolk.

It wasn’t a classic encounter in East Anglia, but Aidan Barlow’s goal, 20 minutes, from time was enough to secure another three points.

The win also preserved and increased the Under-23s' unbeaten opening to the campaign to seven games, and maintained our record of having scored in every match to date.

United approached this match holding second place in the table, just one point behind league leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Norwich, who have only been beaten twice in their opening six games, were two points adrift of the Reds in fifth spot. United made three changes from the side that defeated Middlesbrough, 2-0, in the North East at the weekend. Callum Whelan, DJ Buffonge and Barlow were included in the starting line-up in place of Angel Gomes, James Garner and Tahith Chong.

United approached this match holding second place in the table, just one point behind league leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Norwich, who have only been beaten twice in their opening six games, were two points adrift of the Reds in fifth spot. United made three changes from the side that defeated Middlesbrough, 2-0, in the North East at the weekend. Callum Whelan, DJ Buffonge and Barlow were included in the starting line-up in place of Angel Gomes, James Garner and Tahith Chong.

The wind had freshened as the game progressed and both teams reacted accordingly by playing the ball along the ground.

United’s six matches before this trip to Norwich showed a remarkable symmetry with the sequence reading: draw, win, draw, win, draw, win and the way this match was unfolding there appeared every chance of the pattern continuing.

DJ Buffonge attempted to break the deadlock as the hour-mark was reached, but his shot failed to cause City keeper Jon MacCracken too much distress. A point apiece began to look more and more the likely outcome as time moved on, but then, in the 71st minute, United found a spark that was enough to break the stalemate.

Lee O’Connor initiated the move with a fine ball to Bohui, who instantly stroked his pass to Barlow. The Salford-born midfielder was being closely policed by Canaries’ defender Ciaren Jones, but he managed to shake off the attentions of his marker before placing his shot past McCracken.

Norwich’s cause wasn’t helped in the 85th minute when midfield player Anthony Spyrou was sent off after being shown two yellow cards.

MATCH DETAILS

UNITED: Kovar; Warren, Poole, R. Williams, O’Connor; Barlow, Whelan, Hamilton; Buffonge (Gribbin 70), Dearnley, Bohui.

Substitutes not used: Woolston, Ercolani, Sang, Baars.

Scorers: Barlow 71

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UNDER-23S: WOLVES 2 UNITED 1

Manchester United's Under-23s lost 2-1 at Wolves in a bruising contest at Molineux, despite a debut goal by Mason Greenwood.

After falling behind to an own goal by Ro-Shaun Williams, the Reds battled back after the break with Greenwood claiming the equaliser in the 50th minute. The Molineux crowd clearly enjoyed the action and a controversial winner by Niall Ennis settled the top-of-the-table encounter that lived up to its billing. Consequently, the home side leapfrog United to go top of the table after inflicting the Reds' first defeat of the campaign.

Ethan Hamilton was hurt early on but recovered as both teams sounded each other out in the opening exchanges. Angel Gomes misdirected a free-kick over the top as United had much of the play but fell behind to a well-worked goal. Pedro Goncalves fed Ryan Giles and his cross to the near post was turned in by Ashley-Seal via a deflection off Williams.


Suddenly, the home side turned the screw and enjoyed a spell of sustained pressure with Ennis's effort going through a crowd of players but, thankfully, straight to Matej Kovar, before Regan Poole got in the way of a powerful Ashley-Seal drive. From the corner, there was more danger with Max Kilman heading off target. Another run by the impressive Giles then led to a chance for Oscar Buur but the full-back clipped the bar from a tight angle.

Wolves were being very physical, and committing a number of fouls, with Elliot Watt, the chief culprit, finally booked for fouling Tahith Chong after Gomes received some particularly close attention for much of the half.

After Chong had an attempt at the start of the second half, the lively Giles fired too high for Wolves. Five minutes after the restart, Ricky Sbragia's side drew level with a goal of real quality. James Garner passed to Gomes and his intelligent ball through was lashed past Andreas Sondergaard by Greenwood, to make it 15 goals in 12 games for the 17-year-old this season. It was a moment to savour for the striker, who made an instant impact at this higher level by taking the opportunity so sharply.

A brilliant move almost yielded a second with Chong and Gomes involved before Greenwood's instant lay-off invited the shot from Garner. Unfortunately, the midfielder could not keep his shot down and it flew over the bar. Watt fired wide at the other end as the crowd of 2,741 were treated to some fine entertainment.

Although Gomes floated a free-kick over the bar, Wolves won it with 10 minutes left courtesy of a superb, if disputed, strike. Ennis appeared to foul George Tanner when gaining possession but then embarked on a penetrative run that finished with a glorious postage-stamp finish high into Kovar's goal. Poole headed away a goalbound shot by Goncalves before late frustration when Garner felt he was clearly fouled right on the edge of the box with the final action of the game.

There was nothing doing from the referee and, although the Reds will feel aggrieved with the scoreline, there were plenty of positives from a compelling contest.

United: Kovar; Tanner, R. Williams, Poole, O'Connor; Gomes, Garner, Hamilton; Chong, Greenwood, Bohui.

Subs not used: Woolston, Warren, Whelan, Barlow, Buffonge.

Wolves 2 (Williams og 27, Ennis 80)

United 1 (Greenwood 50)

NEXT UP

United play next Friday with the first fixture of November taking place at Leigh Sports Village against Newcastle United (kick-off 19:00 GMT, live on MUTV).

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Re: Man United U-23 Matches 2018/19
 

Wah United kalah telak nih..

UNDER-23S: MANCHESTER UNITED 1 NEWCASTLE UNITED 4

Manchester United's Under-23s slipped to a second successive league defeat as an industrious, skilful and well-organised Newcastle United side triumphed 4-1 at Leigh Sports Village Stadium on Friday evening.

The Reds drew level in first-half injury time through Angel Gomes's deflected lob but the Magpies scored three times without reply after the break to take all three points back to the North East.

Fireworks lit the night sky ahead of this clash against the Magpies but, much as we like welcoming our friends from Tyneside, the display of pyrotechnics was not in their honour - it was, of course, part of the annual commemoration of the failed Gunpowder Plot of 413 years ago.

A good number of supporters favoured football over bonfires, making their way to Leigh to attend this Premier League 2 contest between the long-term opponents. Sadly, we weren’t treated to a view of the Magpies’ famous black and white stripes, as they emerged from the tunnel wearing a change strip of the palest blue.

Having tasted defeat for the first time this season, against Wolves at Molineux last week, Ricky Sbragia’s charges were hoping to get back on track.

However, the visitors had not read that script, showing plenty of adventure and positivity. The best chance of the opening exchanges fell to them when Newcastle winger Adam Wilson found himself well placed in front of goal, but his header was just too high to trouble Reds goalkeeper Matěj Kovář.

The game remained finely balanced but then, in the 31st minute, the Magpies' bright start bore fruit when Elias Sörensen cut in from the left before firing a shot past Kovář to give his side the lead.

The shine was taken off Newcastle’s advantage when they lost defender Lewis Cass with an injury that was serious enough to hold the game up for several minutes while he was treated and then stretchered from the scene.

Aidan Barlow’s seemingly goalbound curling shot, from outside the area, was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Magpies keeper Freddie Woodman, but he couldn’t repeat his heroics a couple of minutes later when Angel Gomes’ lob, via a deflection off Sean Longstaff, beat his outstretched arms before coming to rest in the net.

Tahith Chong and Mason Greenwood both went close to scoring for the Reds, but sandwiched in between those chances, Newcastle had recaptured the lead with striker Sörensen claiming his second goal of the night.

The prolific Danish forward was, surprisingly, replaced by Yannick Toure just a few minutes later but it appeared to have been some kind of tactical switch.

The Reds' hopes of preserving an unbeaten home record were dealt a further blow in the 80th minute when Callum Roberts lashed home Newcastle’s third goal.

In response, Regan Poole rattled the woodwork at the other end, but it just wasn’t to be his team's night. Magpies substitute Toure completed the scoring when he slammed home his side’s fourth goal with virtually the final kick of the match.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Kovář; Tanner, Poole, Williams R-S., O’Connor; Whelan, Gomes, Barlow (Hamilton 67); Chong, Greenwood (Buffonge 81), Bohui.

Substitutes not used: Warren, Fojtićěk, Dearnley.

Scorers: United - Gomes 45; Newcastle - Sorensen 31, 56, Roberts 80, Toure 90+3.

Re: Man United U-23 Matches 2018/19
 

Zak Dearnley scored the only goal of the game as United's Under-23s won 1-0 at Scottish side Morton in a friendly.

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Re: Man United U-23 Matches 2018/19
 

U23S: WEST BROM 1 UNITED 1

Josh Bohui came off the bench to earn a Premier League 2 point for Manchester United against West Brom at The Hawthorns.

The forward earned and converted the spot-kick in the final few minutes of a game played in foggy conditions in the Black Country as the home side looked set to inflict a third successive defeat on the Reds.

The deadlock had been broken by a man whose surname conjures up images of United's distant past, as Daniel Meredith headed the Baggies into the lead.

The hosts carved out the first opening when Jonathan Leko combined nicely with Kyle Edwards, only to fire his shot way off target, but little else of note was created until Aidan Barlow drove through the middle, taking allcomers on, until being crowded out and going to ground inside the box. Replays suggested he was perhaps tripped but may have already over-run the ball.

An enterprising dribble by DJ Buffonge, again down the centre of the pitch, led to him scooping a shot wide of Alex Palmer's goal before Barlow was unable to connect properly with a cross as United threatened. The first shot on target arrived on 27 minutes when a patient move, following a corner, ended with Zak Dearnley collecting a Buffonge pass but his finish lacked power and Palmer dived to save pretty comfortably.

Matej Kovar was even less troubled by an Oliver Burke effort and the Reds pushed for a breakthrough as the first half wore on. Tahith Chong showed great acceleration to motor into the box and tee up Ethan Hamilton, but the Scot could only fire against the legs of Palmer from an inviting position. Although Callum Whelan had to make a decent block to frustrate Leko, Hamilton had another clear sight of goal in stoppage time but volleyed a clever chip by Barlow over the top.

United were unlucky not to break the deadlock in the opening minute of the second half but Whelan's fine effort came back off the woodwork. However, the Baggies began to ask questions of the Reds' defence, with substitute Callum Morton lashing a Nathan Ferguson through ball just wide.

The hosts were getting closer as Edwards forced Kovar to get down to his left to pull off a smart save and, after a Chong free-kick flew narrowly off target, Edwards turned well to rattle a post with a powerful strike that had beaten Kovar. Hence, it was no great surprise when a looping cross from the left was met by Meredith, who attacked it impressively to divert a header into the net.

Kovar thwarted Morton as Albion looked to wrap up the points so head coach Ricky Sbragia introduced George Tanner and Bohui in an attempt to turn things around. The double change certainly had the desired impact as the Reds built up a head of steam, with Dearnley's deflected drive flashing into the side-netting. From the corner, Whelan flicked Barlow's pass into the path of Bohui, who was tripped by Finn Azaz. Up stepped Bohui to send Palmer the wrong way and make it 1-1.

George Harmon's free-kick forced a stop out of Kovar but the best chance of the closing stages fell to United, with Hamilton's teasing centre from the right begging to be finished off, only for Tyrell Warren to prod it the wrong side of the far post.

United: Kovar; O'Connor (Tanner 81), Poole (c), R. Williams, Warren; Whelan, Hamilton, Buffonge (Bohui 81); Barlow, Dearnley, Chong.

Subs not used: Woolston, Ercolani, Stanley.

Goals: Meredith 69 | Bohui 87 (pen)

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Re: Man United U-23 Matches 2018/19
 

UNDER-23S: MANCHESTER UNITED 2 MIDDLESBROUGH 0

Manchester United's Under-23s returned to winning ways, following a largely barren run of late, with this victory at Leigh Sports Village Stadium in front of 787 fans on Friday evening.

The goals from Zak Dearnley and Ethan Hamilton both arrived in the first half and provided a cushion as the Reds negotiated the second half unscathed.

It was a closely fought contest and Middlesbrough could count themselves unlucky in the minutes before half-time when, with a little more accuracy, they may have gone in at least on level terms.
Boro took the field kitted out in black shirts and shorts, which to some degree clashed with United’s red shirts and black shorts. Even the match officials were wearing black shorts as if to comply with the evening’s dress code.

Having started the season with an encouraging sequence of eight undefeated games, the Reds have recently been suffering something of blip with just one point being secured from the most recent trio of fixtures prior to this one. The last outing at Leigh Sports Village Stadium had ended with the shock result of the campaign so far being recorded with Newcastle United running out 4-1 winners.

Ricky Sbragia's lads were certainly looking determined from the first whistle to avoid a repeat of that upset and within the opening couple of minutes, Joshua Bohui, Tahith Chong and Ro-Shaun Williams had all tried their luck in front of goal.

The early attacking was a feature of United’s game and, in the seventh minute, their positive opening was rewarded when Dearnley fired past Boro keeper Bradley Jones.
It was a fine start to the game for the Reds but as time wore on, the visitors began to ease their way into the proceedings with Amadou Sylla having what appeared to be a goalbound shot blocked.

Dan Ward then fired over for Boro and in the countdown to the half-time break, their main striker, Stephen Walker, could have found the net a sufficient number of times to have claimed the match ball.

Instead, United doubled the lead two minutes into the first half’s added time when Hamilton’s low shot took a slight deflection before nestling in the net behind substitute keeper Zach Hemming’s net. Jones, Boro’s first-choice stopper, had been helped from the field with an injury just a few minutes beforehand.
Overall, there hadn’t been much to choose between the sides – apart from the small matter of United’s two-goal lead – and it was much the same story in the second 45 minutes. Both sides enjoyed considerable time in their opponents’ half of the field and while real chances were at more of a premium than before the interval, both defences did well to keep their opponents at bay.

The closest we came to a goal after the break was when Boro's no.9 Walker spurned another chance by heading against the post, but nevertheless the Reds, now in second place behind Reading in Premier League 2, were still worthy winners.

United: Kovar; O’Connor, Poole, Williams R-S., Warren; Whelan, Hamilton, Barlow (Gomes 73); Chong, Dearnley, Bohui (Burkart 75).

Substitutes not used: Tanner, Fojticek, Ercolani.

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Re: Man United U-23 Matches 2018/19
 

UNDER-23S: READING 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 1

Angel Gomes's second-half penalty was just enough to give United’s Under-23s a hard-fought victory in an extremely watchable contest against Reading.

The three points collected also meant that Ricky Sbragia’s lads could leapfrog over the three clubs above them – Wolverhampton Wanderers, Reading and Southampton – to the summit of Premier League 2.

Going into the game at the Madejski Stadium, this could certainly have been described as a top-of-the-table clash with the Royals in second spot and United just two points and a couple of places below the hosts.

Both teams have enjoyed impressive form this season and have been proficient in the goalscoring department so it promised to be an interesting and entertaining pre-Christmas treat for the supporters in attendance.
Barely a minute into the game and United’s goal was under threat when Reading’s Josh Barrett found himself just a few yards away from the Reds’ goalline, but his chance went begging when Ro-Shaun Williams made a vital block.

It gave the Royals an early boost to their confidence, but it wasn’t long before United were giving the home defence a few nervous moments. The visitors could have taken the lead in the sixth minute when Tahith Chong’s well-struck drive looked to be heading for the desired destination until Reading's 15-year-old Academy keeper Coniah Boyce-Clarke dived to make a brilliant save.

Half a dozen minutes later and United had keeper Matej Kovar to thank for preserving the status quo after he pulled off a great block to prevent Reading winger Callum Harriott from squeezing the ball home at the near post.

As time wore on, the Reds started to command slightly more of the possession and as a result openings became more frequent. Gomes was instrumental as Ricky Sbragia's side took the game to the home side and with a little good fortune, the deadlock might have been successfully broken.

Both keepers were kept busy throughout the first half and it was difficult to choose between the two of them in terms of performance, because both were equally impressive. Having said that, on the stroke of half-time, United’s Kovar may have just edged it after making an incredible point-blank save from Ben House’s fierce header.
The second half commenced in much the same style as the first had ended with chances being created at both ends.

Reds skipper Regan Poole did well to clear a dangerous cross as Reading pressed and then Joshua Bohui was unlucky with a glancing header from Tyrell Warren’s cross. Without question, this was anybody’s game and both sides continued to look for the vital opening.

Then, in the 63rd minute, referee Sam Purkiss pointed to the penalty spot after appearing to consulting one of his assistants, when Nishan Burkart – who only five minutes earlier had come off the bench to replace Zachary Dearnley – was clumsily wrestled to the ground by Reading’s Andre Burley.

A moment later, Gomes picked up the ball, placed it on the spot and without little hesitation converted the award into a lead for his side.
The manner of the winning goal was perhaps harsh on the young keeper Boyce-Clarke, who was making his under-23 debut and had been excellent in keeping United at bay in open play.

Reading, who claimed a point from a 1-1 draw when the teams met at Old Trafford earlier in the season, pushed forward in the closing stages in an attempt to salvage something from the afternoon, but United’s defence stood firm to preserve the narrow lead.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Kovar; O’Connor, Poole, Williams R-S., Warren (Tanner 57); Whelan, Gomes (Barlow 82), Hamilton; Chong, Dearnley (Burkart 59), Bohui.

Substitutes not used: Woolston, Sang.

Scorer: Gomes 64 pen.

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UNDER-23S: DERBY COUNTY 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 1

Manchester United’s Under-23s launched the Premier League International Cup campaign with a hard-fought point against Derby County at Loughborough University Stadium on Thursday evening.

Nishan Burkart put the Reds into the lead from close range inside 20 minutes after a great cross into the box by Angel Gomes, before Louie Sibley levelled the scores just after an hour with a looping cross that managed to find a way into the net.

Ricky Sbragia’s lads were the last of the four teams in Group F to commence their fixtures in the competition as the two teams took to the pitch on a chilly winter's evening, and it was the hosts that started the brighter of the two. However, whilst their early forays into United’s half failed to gain any reward they did ensure that Matej Kovar had no time to ease himself in to the game.

Despite the positive start by the Rams, it was United who hadn't been shy in demonstrating their attacking threat, that took the lead in the 18th minute. Gomes made his way into Derby's penalty area before releasing the ball to Burkart who managed to divert it over the line with a clever finish.

Before the break, United had an appeal for handball turned down by referee Matthew Dicicco, as Zachary Dearnley appeared to have a shot blocked inside the penalty area.

There was no let-up in the tempo of the game as the second half got underway with both sides pressing forward at every opportunity. But there had been very few openings until the 63rd minute when substitute Louie Sibley, who’d only just joined the action off the bench, delivered a cross into the area which managed to loop over the head of Kovar's and go in at the far post.

Sbragia freshened up his side with fifteen minutes remaining, sending on D’Mani Mellor and Josh Bohui for Burkart and Aidan Barlow. However, despite the players striving to find a winning goal, the points were ultimately shared.

On the balance of play, a draw was a fair result and gives the Reds a good chance of qualifying for the knockout stage of the competition with two home games against PSV Eindhoven and Paris Saint Germain to come.

Derby currently sit at the top the group while both United and PSG have a point apiece, which looks set to make the final two games of the group interesting.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Kovář; O’Connor, Poole, Williams R-S., Tanner; Gomes, Whelan, Hamilton; Barlow (Bohui 75), Burkart (Mellor 75), Dearnley.

Subs not used: Warren, Woolston, Ercolani, Buffonge.

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Parah nih kebobolannya...

UNDER-23S: ASTON VILLA 5 UNITED 1

Manchester United’s Under-23s missed the opportunity to move to the Premier League 2 Division Two summit after slipping to a 5-1 defeat against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Monday evening.

Three points would have seen United take over from Reading at the top but, despite being on level terms at the break, the 10 men went on to lose for the third time this season as Villa proved to be more productive in front of goal and fully capitalised on George Tanner's red card.

The game was barely out of the wrapper when Villa carved out the first opening of the game, but they failed to profit from the early threat as Jacob Ramsey fired wide from winger Rushian Hepburn-Murphy's assist. Twice in quick succession, the Reds’ defence were relieved to have Matej Kovar protecting the goal after pulling off two fantastic saves to deny Keinan Davis and Hepburn-Murphy. United, wearing pink shirts and black shorts, slowly got a foothold in the contest and were beginning to make our presence felt.

But then, in the 13th minute, Villa proved that their early dominance was no flash in the pan when striker Davis got above the defenders to head home Corey Taylor’s corner. Attacking the deserted Holte End, United were looking for inspiration and it almost arrived, courtesy of Aidan Barlow, when he found Zak Dearnley but he just couldn’t find the final touch. Barlow and Dearnley combined again, just after the half-hour mark, but the latter’s shot squirmed wide of the post.

This was much better from United and, 12 minutes before the break, we got our reward when Nishan Burkart made the most of good positioning to hit home the leveller, following approach work by Josh Bohui. It was Burkart’s second Premier League 2 goal of the season and it couldn’t have arrived at a better time as the Reds' improvement gathered pace, with Dearnley hitting a post towards the end of the half.

Coach Ricky Sbragia made just one change ahead of the second half, sending on D’Mani Mellor for Bohui and the newly introduced substitute was soon in the thick of it as the Reds opened brightly.

Goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo was kept busy as United pressed, but the, in the 56th minute, Hepburn-Murphy broke away down the right before rifling a low shot past Kovar. Villa may have eased their way back into the lead, but United continued to put pressure on the Villa defence and could have equaliised but for Sinisalo’s heroics. United’s cause was dealt a crushing blow in the 66th minute when full-back Tanner was sent off, after being shown a second yellow card, for a foul on Villa’s Callum O’Hare.
Worse was to follow, four minutes later ,when Kelsey Mooney slid home Villa’s third goal and substitute Jordan Cox added a fourth with six minutes left on the clock with a rising drive past Kovar. Just before the end, a free-kick by O'Hara was helped into his own net by Ro-Shaun Williams to give an unfair look to the final scoreline.

United: Kovar; O’Connor, Poole, R. Williams, Tanner; Whelan (Levitt 78), Barlow, Hamilton; Dearnley, Burkart (Warren 74), Bohui (Mellor 46).

Substitutes not used: Fojticek, Ercolani.

Scorers: Davis 13, Hepburn-Murphy 56, Mooney 70, Cox 84, R. Williams og 90 | Burkart 33

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UNDER-23S: MAN UNITED 1 FULHAM 3

Manchester United’s Under-23s tasted defeat for the second time in five days when going down 3-1 to Fulham at Leigh Sports Village on Friday evening.

Tahith Chong gave United the lead with a magnificent free-kick, but then the visitors took over the scoring to record an impressive win and leave the Reds fourth in the table. This loss came on the back of the reverse earlier in the week at Aston Villa, when coach Ricky Sbragia was missing several players.

Captained by Regan Poole, United wore our normal strip of red shirts and black shorts while Fulham, who usually turn out in white shirts and black shorts, were in all blue. Chong and Angel Gomes, who flew back on Thursday after being part of the first-team squad which had been in Dubai for five days' warm-weather training, were both included in United’s line-up.

The game started at a healthy pace with both sides putting the emphasis firmly on the hunt for goals. The hosts went close, in the 15th minute, when Nishan Burkart crossed from the right, but Chong narrowly failed to make contact. Two minutes later, Gomes was at the hub of another promising attack which came to an end when Fulham keeper George Wickens did well to block Aidan Barlow’s close-range strike.

These early chances for United suggest that Fulham were only busy in defence, which is far from the truth for the lads from west London were also making openings – most notably when a timely challenge from Lee O’Connor prevented Harvey Elliott, Fulham’s 15-year-old winger, from finding the net.

Sbragia's side moved into the lead after 27 minutes thanks to a blistering free-kick from Chong, United’s latest senior Academy debutant, which found the target from fully 25 yards out, before Wickens had the chance to move.

Seven minutes later, Fulham were on terms when Matthias Kait glanced his header home from Matt O’Riley’s corner. And, in the 37th minute, Fulham shocked United by taking the lead with a well-worked goal as Elliott threaded a glorious ball through to striker Elijah Adebayo, who instantly fired his shot under Matej Kovar’s diving body. The Reds were forced to make a change to our line-up, seconds before half-time, after the injured Barlow had been stretchered from the field to be replaced by Dylan Levitt.

Sbragia took the opportunity at half-time to make another change - sending on Josh Bohui in place of Burkart, as his team certainly needed to be more prominent in front of goal but, a quarter of an hour into the half, the predicament became more serious when Fulham’s Stephen Humphrys struck to increase his team’s lead, pouncing when Jayden Harris's cross from the right skimmed off Tyrell Warren's head, to lash the ball past Kovar.

Although Kovar made one superb save, the home side had plenty of possession but were unable to carve out enough clear-cut opportunities to suggest there was a route back into the game.

With D’Mani Mellor on for Dearnley, there was a determined push forward in the closing stages, but the Fulham defence stood firm. Substitute Mellor flashed one drive wide before a Gomes free-kick and left-footed drive by Chong worked Wickens with time running out but there was no way through in the end.

United: Kovar; Warren, Poole (c), R. Williams, O’Connor; Whelan, Barlow (Levitt 45), Gomes; Chong, Burkart (Bohui 46) , Dearnley (Mellor 77).

Substitutes not used: Woolston, Ercolani.

Scorers: Chong 27 | Kait 4, Adebayo 37, Humphrys 60

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U23S: STALEMATE WITH PSV EINDHOVEN

Manchester United's Under-23s drew 0-0 with PSV Eindhoven in the Premier League International Cup on a freezing night at Leigh Sports Village.

Head coach Ricky Sbragia shuffled his pack for the Group F fixture, handing several players some valuable game time. Paul Woolston made his competitive debut for the club in goal, after signing on the back of a successful trial last year. Matty Willock was back in the engine room following his loan at St Mirren while there were also starts for Italian defender Luca Ercolani and no.10 DJ Buffonge, with Matthew Olosunde back from injury and on the bench, alongside four Under-18s and keeper Alex Fojticek.

As was anticipated, the tie was an ideal opportunity to come up against a different type of opponent with PSV adopting a patient passing approach, providing a real contrast to the more direct and physical style often encountered in Premier League 2 football.

The first shot of the game came from the visitors' Matthias Verreth but it was straight at Woolston and comfortably handled by the keeper, who then kept out a header by captain Joel Piro. United started to ask questions of the Dutch defence with DJ Buffonge's low drive going wide, after some neat play by Willock, while PSV no.1 Youri Roulaux was out smartly to beat Zak Dearnley to a clever through ball by Aidan Barlow on 21 minutes.

Brazilian forward Mauro Junior was prominent as PSV enjoyed a spell of pressure, twice failing to find the target after intricate skill and movement enabled him to find shooting opportunities from promising positions. Although Buffonge's free-kick was helped around the post by Roulaux as the half drew to a close, Mauro Junior served more notice of his intentions with a decent attempt from distance. The shot swerved and dipped over Woolston but, ultimately, dropped wide of goal.

In the second half, Dearnley had a drive pushed away by Roulaux as United created the clearer of the openings, even if it remained a cagey affair. Largie Ramazani came on for his debut at this level and immediately displayed a wonderful piece of control that preceded an ambitious attempt wide of the target. Looking capable of making a breakthrough on the break, Dearnley led one charge but opted for a shot rather than a pass or cross and it was beaten away by Roulaux.

PSV responded with a block by Ro-Shaun Williams and clearing header by Lee O'Connor typical of the kind of resolute defending on show all evening. When substitute Bertalan Kun did fire in a shot on target, Woolston was equal to it, making a smart stop. Lennerd Daneels then went closer to finding a winner when his goalbound effort was deflected wide by skipper Williams.

Dion McGhee became the second young debutant for the Reds, when replacing Willock, and the closest we came to a goal was when Callum Whelan's deceptive well-struck drive moved in the air to force an awkward save out of Roulaux with time running out. Maxime Soules's flicked header missed in stoppage time as Woolston kept a clean sheet.

United are on two points after two games but still have a chance to qualify, particularly if PSG are defeated convincingly next time out, with PSV exiting the competition. Derby County top the group on five points.

United: Woolston; Tanner, Ercolani, R. Williams (c), O'Connor; Whelan, Willock (McGhee 84); Barlow, Buffonge (Ramazani 65), Bohui; Dearnley.

Substitutes not used: Fojticek, Olosunde, B. Williams, McCann.

NEXT UP
United conclude the Premier League International group with a tie against Paris Saint-German at Leigh Sports Village next Friday (19:00 GMT kick-off), while the first team are facing Arsenal in the Emirates FA Cup fourth round on the same night.

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U23S: MCTOMINAY HELPS REDS PASS FRENCH TEST

Manchester United's Under-23s garnered more invaluable experience against European opposition on Friday night, following up the recent 0-0 draw with Dutch club PSV Eindhoven by overcoming crack French side Paris Saint-Germain 3-0.

This excellent victory at Leigh Sports Village means Ricky Sbragia's team have booked a place in the knockout stage of the Premier League International Cup, and for the 1,019 fans who were there, it whets the appetite for what will be the clubs' first-ever competitive meeting at senior level. PSG will visit Old Trafford in the UEFA Champions League of course, in just over a fortnight's time, on 12 February.

There was something of a surprise for United’s supporters when they received the teamsheet ahead of the game. The Reds’ line-up was comprised of the usual Under-23 regulars but there was one stand-out inclusion - Scott McTominay. Most of the fans would have expected the Scotland international to have been 200 miles away in North London, preparing with the first-team squad for the Emirates FA Cup fourth-round tie that kicked-off 55 minutes later than this game.
Academy graduate McTominay, who this month signed a new contract to keep him at the club until at least 2023, was maade captain for the night and he certainly took his new responsibility extremely seriously for inside the opening two minutes he had raced through the Parisians’ defence to give his side a morale-boosting start.

With United required to win the game by at least a three-goal margin to reach the next round, Scott's early strike was just what the doctor ordered!

PSG's prospects of taking something from their visit to Manchester became increasingly stretched after Tahith Chong had raised the scoreline to 3-0 with two goals inside the next quarter-of-an-hour, with both finishes capping surging runs by the recent first-team debutant.

The visitors, whose squad was depleted to the point they could only name three subs, steadied themselves to some degree following that unnerving triple blast from United. But while the French side began to see more of the ball, the end product rarely succeeded in troubling Reds goalkeeper Alex Fojtíček.
The second half commenced at a slightly less sensational pace than the first but PSG were lively enough to have Abdallah Yaisien firing narrowly wide and Emmanuel Attah forcing Fojtíček into a spectacular save at full stretch.

United's Slovenian shot-stopper had to be alert again in the 75th minute, to push away Virgiliu Postolachi's point-blank effort.
As the game approached its final stages, United needed to tread carefully because the improved performance from the French side suggested that they were certainly capable of finding the net and consequently putting Sbragia’s side out of the competition.

Instead, the Reds held firm, kept a clean sheet and finished the night on top of the group, ahead of Derby County on goal difference thanks to those three strikes in seventeen first-half minutes.

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UNDER-23S LEARN QUARTER-FINAL OPPONENTS

Manchester United have been handed a quarter-final clash with Reading in the Premier League International Cup.

Ricky Sbragia’s side topped Group F on goal difference, ahead of Derby County, after a superb 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the final match last Friday. Scott McTominay grabbed an early opener before a brace from Tahith Chong.

It ensured the Reds reached the last eight and will meet a Royals outfit that headed Group B, in front of Leicester City, Feyenoord and Sparta Prague. The two teams drew 1-1 at Old Trafford in Premier League 2, before United won 1-0 at the Madejski Stadium in December, thanks to an Angel Gomes penalty.

Porto have lifted the trophy twice, and been beaten finalists, in a competition that only started in 2014/15. However, the Portuguese side finished bottom of Group A this time around. Another of the previous winners, Villarreal, remain in the reckoning.

QUARTER-FINAL DRAW

Leicester City v Bayern Munich
Southampton v Villarreal
Manchester United v Reading
Tottenham Hotspur v Dinamo Zagreb

Quarter-final fixtures must be played by Monday 4 March. These will be one-off fixtures with extra-time and penalties if not decided over 90 minutes.

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UNDER-23S LUCKLESS IN DEFEAT TO SAINTS

Manchester United's Under-23s were beaten 1-0 by Southampton at Leigh Sports Village in Premier League 2, despite dominating much of the match.

Jonathan Afolabi proved the matchwinner with his goal just past the half-hour mark but United deserved far more from the encounter, with Mason Greenwood and Di'Shon Bernard agonisingly close to grabbing what would have been a deserved equaliser in injury time.

Nonetheless, the positives will still have outweighed any negatives on the night for the Reds, who were up against a side determined to defend in numbers and professionally try to see the match out in a fashion that mirrors so many clashes at a higher level. The narrow win takes the South Coast side to the top of the table.

There were seven changes to the XI from the fine win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Premier League International Cup, reflecting the view of the Academy that there should be a shift in personnel now the transfer window has closed. Regular members of the side were allowed to go on loan to further their education, while Ro-Shaun Williams departed on a permanent basis to Shrewsbury Town.

It means some of the Under-18s squad will be promoted in the coming weeks and defenders Brandon Williams and Bernard both made their debuts at this level, while Dylan Levitt started for the first time in a key midfield role. Prolific striker Greenwood was handed a place in attack as coach Ricky Sbragia's side was bursting with flair and enthusiasm.

Performing in freezing conditions at Leigh Sports Village against more mature and powerful opponents supplied an ideal test for United's youngsters.

United made a flying start and attacked from all angles with fluid movement and real spark. Tahith Chong was fouled by Christophe Klarer on the very edge of the box in the sixth minute but could only find the wall with the free-kick and the Dutchman then fired a glorious opening over the top after a thrilling move involving Levitt and Greenwood. Another incisive bit of interplay, as Angel Gomes did well to keep the ball alive, again threatened the visiting goal.

Greenwood collected the ball on the left, drifting inside to test Jack Rose with a fierce drive, and Nishan Burkart was inches away from getting onto the rebound. James Garner and Levitt had long-range shots, while Greenwood let fly following a one-two with Chong, only for the effort to go straight at a grateful Rose.

Southampton finally started to pose problems themselves, with Jake Vokins's attempt on the break deflecting through to Matej Kovar but then they took the lead on 32 minutes. Vokins crossed from the left and Afolabi outmuscled Bernard to swivel and bury a slick finish into the corner of the net.

It was a blow for the Reds and Afolabi forced a save out of Kovar as United lost our rhythm for a spell. It was recovered before the break but Garner belted a shot wide after some more attacking work by Sbragia's team.

The second half got off to a subdued start with the Saints willing to sit deep to protect their lead. Sbragia opted to replace Nishan Burkart with Josh Bohui and an effort on goal soon followed, with Bernard's skidding shot helped behind by keeper Rose.

Captain Gomes scooped a chip too high from a Levitt pass, Bohui bent off target after lining it up nicely and Williams, always willing to join the attack, was unable to pick out Gomes in the danger area as the opportunities came in a real flood. The best opening fell to Bohui in the 79th minute but he could not keep his header down from an inviting cross by Gomes.

Tanner fired in a low ball that was expertly held by Rose as time began to run out for the hosts. However, there were two near-misses as the clock ticked down with Greenwood turning sharply inside the box to force the save of the night out of Rose and the rebound struck Luca Ercolani and bounced unluckily away from goal. Bernard then dived to meet a Chong centre but powered it over the bar with the final chance.

Garner, who was excellent in midfield, made one saving challenge to repel a Saints break but the visitors were largely content to see things out, even making substitution deep into stoppage time, to aid their bid to reach the Premier League 2 summit.

NEXT UP

The Under-23s are away to Stoke City on Monday 18 February. As the first team are now in Emirates FA Cup action on the same night at Chelsea, we will only be showing highlights on MUTV.

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Tim senior menang atas Chelsea tapi tim U-23 harus kalah dari Stoke.. :(

UNDER-23S OUT OF LUCK AT STOKE

Manchester United's Under-23s were beaten 3-1 by Stoke City in Premier League 2 on Monday night.

The Reds were stretched after the Under-18 game at the weekend, with James Garner plus substitutes Dylan Levitt and D'Mani Mellor playing twice in quick succession, and two-first half goals at Harrison Park in Leek put Stoke firmly in the driving seat.

A late goal from D’Mani Mellor did briefly raise hopes of taking something from the game, only for Josh Tymon's free-kick to settle matters.

United began this match holding sixth place in the Under-18 Premier League table, one point and one place behind Aston Villa and three points adrift of fourth-placed Newcastle United. Ricky Sbragia’s team were the wearing all-blue change kit to avoid a clash with Stoke City’s red-and-white stripes.

It wasn’t the warmest of evenings in the small Staffordshire market town of Leek, which is about 10 miles from Stoke-on Trent on the edge of the Peak District National Park, but there was a good turn-out at the compact home ground of Leek Town.

The surroundings were a stark contrast the meeting earlier in the season when an Angel Gomes goal gave United a narrow victory at Old Trafford.

The share of possession couldn’t have been more equitable in the opening stages of the match as both teams knocked the ball about at a brisk pace.

Good chances were created at either end of the field, but United’s George Tanner and Thibaud Verlinden, the Potters’ left-winger, were both out of luck. Then, in the 32nd minute, the home side grabbed the lead with a fast and impressive attack that culminated with Tre Pemberton firing in a low shot that beat the diving Matej Kovar.

Seven minutes later, United’s were rocked again as another rapid attack saw Daniel Jarvis’s right-wing cross hooked home by Verlinden. Soon after the restart, United had keeper Kovar to thank for a brilliant one-handed reflex save to halt Nathan Collins’s point-blank header.

Coach Ricky Sbragia made three separate changes inside five minutes in the hope that a reshuffle may revive United’s fortunes.

Dylan Levitt, one the trio of replacements, very nearly made an instant impact but his curling shot was inches past the wrong side of the post.
Mellor, another of United’s substitutes, raised hopes of a late fightback when he found the net in the 81st minute by crashing in after a good run, but, within two minutes, Stoke had restored their two-goal cushion thanks to an audacious long-range shot from Tymon.

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RESULTS:
U23 - The Young Devils are in a serious rut right now in the league.
Stoke dominated proceedings & swept Man.Utd away 3-1 for a 4th straight loss.
The Devils are still 6th in the league.

Re: Man United U-23 Matches 2018/19
 

UNDER-23S' INTERNATIONAL CUP RUN COMES TO AN END

Manchester United's encouraging run in the Premier League International Cup, which peaked with a win over Paris Saint-Germain, ended with a 3-1 defeat against Reading on Monday night in front of 654 fans at Leigh Sports Village.

Reading’s Danny Loader - who played against our first team in the Emirates FA Cup last month - grabbed a hat-trick, including a disputed second-half penalty, to seal United’s fate. Dylan Levitt scored the Reds' reply with an earlier spot-kick, just before the break following a foul on Joshua Bohui, but in the end it just wasn’t to be our night.

United were taking a break from the bid to gain promotion back to Premier League 2 Division One by attempting to step forward into the last four of the league’s cup competition. Ricky Sbragia's side qualified for the knock-out stage after beating PSG and drawing with Derby County and PSV Eindhoven to finish top of a tight group on goal difference.

The format of the international tournament is somewhat unusual with every match being staged in this country, despite several of Europe’s top sides taking part; even if two continental teams contested the final it would be played at a venue in England. Yet it certainly provides a welcome touch of variety for the young players, away from the bread and butter of the league programme, and gives them an opportunity to test themselves against some good-quality opponents from overseas.

As for Reading, this was the Berkshire club's second trip to face United's Under-23s in Manchester this season, after taking a point from the league encounter at Old Trafford.

Following the first half-hour of this cup tie, the Royals appeared to be more than capable of improving on that previous performance when striker Loader scored twice to put them on top. Both goals were of a slightly fortuitous nature; the first fell to him after he was gifted possession inside the United box, before a deflected shot doubled his tally.

United looked to have an uphill task, but shortly before half-time, our hopes were raised when Dylan Levitt scored from the penalty spot after Joshua Bohui’s progress had been abruptly curtailed in the area.

The Reds could easily have been on terms at the break if Largie Ramazani’s beautifully struck shot inside the opening ten minutes had gone in instead of rebounding off the woodwork. Aidan Barlow followed up to crack the ball into the net, but the flag on the far side of the pitch was already in the air for offside.

United’s late first-half goal set the game up nicely as a contest with both sides showing a healthy appetite for the attacking aspects after the break.

The two goalkeepers, the Reds' Matej Kovar and Coniah Boyce-Clark of Reading, were constantly in action and the Royals' custodian made one terrific intervention in particular to deny Bohui.

Chances were made and squandered at both ends until eleven minutes from full-time when Reading’s two-goal hero Loader was adjudged to have been illegally challenged in United’s area. The striker calmly picked himself up before beating Kovar from the spot to complete his hat-trick and leave the Reds looking towards a return to league action, at home to Norwich City on Friday night.

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RAMAZANI EARNS U23S A POINT AT SUNDERLAND

Manchester United Under-23s claimed a hard-fought point from a 1-1 draw against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Friday night, thanks to Largie Ramazani's first goal at this level.

In a proud week for United's Academy, many of the regular options open to Ricky Sbragia were not considered after their trip to Paris in midweek. Brandon Williams, James Garner, Angel Gomes, Tahith Chong and Mason Greenwood will all have benefited hugely from the experience of one of the most memorable nights in the club's history of knockout football in Europe.

Consequently, the midfield trio was entirely made up of Under-18s - Ethan Galbraith, Dylan Levitt and Aliou Traore - with centre-back Di'Shon Bernard and Ramazani also in the XI.

Sunderland went in at the break a goal to the good thanks to Benjamin Kimpioka, but a spirited second-half display from United led to Ramazani scoring a late goal to claim a share of the spoils.

Wearside on a chilly and damp evening at this time of the year may not be the most appealing of propositions, but the main compensation for United’s young side was to get the opportunity to play at the one of England’s best and most atmospheric of venues.

It’s unbelievable that following two successive relegations, this famous old club find themselves playing third-tier football in these spectacular surroundings even if a promotion bid remains in full swing.

The hosts, coached by one-time United trainee Elliott Dickman, may be languishing at the foot of the table, but in they certainly didn’t look like a basement side during the early moments of this game. No genuine chances were created during the opening exchanges, but the home side were marginally the more threatening.

United took a little time to get into our stride, but eventually started to give the Sunderland defence a few uneasy moments. Ramazani and Nishan Burkart were instrumental in many of United’s best moves and, in the 34th minute, their combined good work almost brought United a goal when Joshua Bohui laid the bal back to the lively Ramazani and his inviting cross was, unfortunately, headed way off target by Burkart.

Just two minutes later, United’s improvement was nipped in the bud when the home side went in front thanks to some neat play and a fine finish from Kimpioka, after Jack Diamond pounced on a stray pass out of defence by Bernard. It was the only shot on target of the first half.

Ricky Sbragia’s half-time pep-talk appeared to have had the desired effect as the Reds were more lively and direct as the second half got under way. Sunderland’s Polish-born goalkeeper Max Stryjek and his defence were kept busy as United pursued the equaliser, but their frequent forays into the Sunderland half failed to bear fruit as the midway point of the half was reached.

United would have conceded for a second time, on 70 minutes, but for Alex Fojticek’s terrific fingertip save that prevented Diamond’s bending strike from entering the net. Burkart looked to have a good claim for a penalty when he was felled close to goal by Denver Hume after getting on the end of Traore’s cross, but the referee would have none of it.

United deserved, on the strength of their second-half showing, at least a point from this game and that became a distinct possibility with nine minutes left. Galbraith's clever ball fed Burkart and his cross was converted at the far post by Ramazani, who showed great desire to beat Jordan Hunter to the final touch after a move containing 19 passes in all.

Ramazani and Traore had late chances to bag a winner but it remained honours even at the final whistle.

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Re: Man United U-23 Matches 2018/19
 

HOW UNITED'S UNDER-23S FARED THIS SEASON

Manchester United had a mix of experiences in Premier League 2 in a first season at Division 2 level.

Ricky Sbragia's side were up among the front-runners at the start of the campaign but, with the emphasis not on results at this level, changes to personnel to promote younger players and allow regulars to fly the nest on loan had an impact on the team's league position.

There were still plenty of positives, including three outings at Old Trafford and one sensational performance at Newcastle United's St James' Park, as everything clicked in our penultimate game to help record an impressive 5-0 victory.

United certainly made an imposing start to life in the division before a first defeat towards the end of October to eventual champions Wolves. This fixture, at Molineux, marked Mason Greenwood's debut at this level and the teenager scored our goal in a 2-1 loss.

The final month of the year started with a 2-0 success against Middlesbrough and it was maybe telling that both of the scorers - Zak Dearnley and Ethan Hamilton - would continue their development on loan in the following month, to Oldham Athletic and Rochdale respectively. December came to a close with a 1-0 victory at Reading, thanks to Angel Gomes's penalty, and a 1-1 draw at Derby County, with Nishan Burkart on the scoresheet.

After the changes to the squad, victories were harder to come by but there was a superb 3-0 defeat of Paris Saint-Germain in the Premier League International Cup, winning by the three goals required to clinch top spot in the group and a place in the knockout stages. Tahith Chong scored twice and Scott McTominay, stepping down to feature with the Under-23s, grabbed the opener.

Reading ended our interest in the continental competition but there was a memorable moment for Largie Ramazani at Sunderland's Stadium of Light in March as he registered his first goal at this level with a late equaliser against Sunderland.

Ramazani was a number of Under-18s blooded by Sbragia who enjoyed the step up, with Dylan Levitt another who handled the move as he got off the mark with a penalty in that cup exit to Reading. It was another member of Neil Ryan's youth team who continued to lead the way, however, as Greenwood scored a couple of beauties in the final two games of the campaign against Newcastle and Wolves.

The strike against the Black Country outfit was not enough to prevent Wolves coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in the finale, as the game ended in crazy circumstances which at least provided a lot of entertainment for any neutrals.

United finished in sixth place in the table, one place outside the play-off spots. Gomes, who was often captain of the team, was nominated for the Denzil Haroun Player of the Year award, alongside exciting winger Chong and midfielder James Garner, another who impressed after being promoted from the Under-18s.

Chong and Gomes tied in the leading goalscorer stakes with six apiece and it will be interesting to see what 2019/20 has in store for everybody.

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