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Old 26-04-2016, 06:47 AM   #63
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Default Re: Man United U-21 Matches 2015/16



UNDER-21S: SOUTHAMPTON 2 UNITED 1

Barclays Under-21 Premier League | 25 April 2016 | St Mary's Stadium | Scorers: Gallagher 46, McNair og 69 | Willock 79

Manchester United's Under-21s may have wrapped up the title last week but Warren Joyce's side slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Southampton in the penultimate game of the season.

Sam Gallagher's strike and an unfortunate own goal by Paddy McNair handed the Saints a two-goal advantage and, although substitute Matty Willock pulled one back on his return from injury, the hosts held out at St Mary's to end their campaign on a high.

The champions soon carved out a real opening as McNair's pass released Scott McTominay but Paulo Gazzaniga saved the angled shot smartly and also clutched Regan Poole's attempt from the rebound. Harrison Reed offered a powerful volley in response when latching onto Sam Johnstone's punch but most of the chances fell to United.

Joe Riley's deflected free-kick forced another good stop out of Gazzaniga, after he was fouled by Armani Little, to ensure the set-piece from a promising position. Argentinian Gazzaniga then produced his best save of the half when pushing Devonte Redmond's spectacular right-foot volley onto a post.

The first-half opportunities dried up after that until Josh Sims forced Johnstone into action again with a routine stop as the whistle approached. It was at least a warning the Saints could mount some threat and, 77 seconds after the restart, Gallagher was left free to steer past Johnstone with his left foot to record his fifth goal in his last five outings.

Riley blazed over the bar before the Saints obtained the upper hand again with Matt Targett firing over from a short free-kick. From the next dangerous set-piece, conceded by Phil Jones, Johnstone could only divert the ball into his own net via the unfortunate McNair.

Jake Hesketh forced a save out of Johnstone but United began to look more of an attacking force with substitutes Josh Harrop and Willock entering the fray. Harrop flashed a good effort off target after injecting some energy into proceedings and Willock gave his side hope when pouncing on a rare mistake by Gazzaniga to poke the loose ball home.

McTominay headed a Demi Mitchell cross over the top and Harrop's deflected shot was fielded by Gazzaniga as Joyce's men attempted to find an equaliser. It looked like McNair had evened things up when his 89th-minute header from Redmond's centre speared goalwards, only for Gazzaniga to pull off an amazing one-handed reflex save.

There was still time for Harrop's volley to force another stunning diving stop out of Gazzaniga and, after Hesketh almost scored in stoppage time at the other end, McTominay was unable to connect with a deflected cross by Mitchell in the dying seconds.

United's league season finishes against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and Joyce will be keen to ensure his troops do not take their foot of the pedal despite already clinching the trophy.

United: Johnstone; Tuanzebe, Williams, Jones (Mitchell 76), Borthwick-Jackson; McNair, Redmond, Poole (Willock 69); Varela (Harrop 69), McTominay, Riley. Subs not used: Henderson, Kehinde.

Code:
http://www.manutd.com/en/Players-And-Staff/Reserves/Reserves-News/2016/Apr/u21s-match-report-southampton-v-manchester-united.aspx
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