10/10/2009 12:16, Report by Ben Hibbs
U18s: Crewe 2 United 1
United threw everything at Crewe Alexandra and dominated possession for much of the match, but still ended up losing 2-1 at Gresty Road.
The Railwaymen twice struck on the counter attack through forward Jason Oswell in the second half, before Will Keane pulled a goal back late on. But it wasn't enough.
Of some consolation was the eye-catching debut from 16-year-old French starlet Paul Pogba in midfield. After all the fuss around his move from Le Havre, it appears, even at this early stage, that he could be well worth it.
In the first half United played some great football, with Pogba spraying passes around from midfield and firing just wide from long-range.
Ravel Morrison also went close with a shot from 25 yards, but it just wouldn't dip under the crossbar.
Pogba continued to impress in the centre of the park. He is very strong on the ball and cultured in possession - comparisons with Patrick Vieira are inevitable.
With John Cofie and Robbie Brady on the bench, Paul McGuinness' young Reds just didn't have a cutting edge in attack. However, United started the second half with plenty of intent.
It was one-way traffic until Crewe struck on the counter attack to take the lead after 48 minutes through Oswell. Back to square one for United, who began again to pressure the home side. But Crewe once again struck against the run of play, with an overhead kick from Oswell.
Pogba rattled the crossbar with a thunderous free-kick with 20 minutes remaining, and Keane's header from Nicky Ajose's cross forced a good save from Daniel Platt in Crewe's goal, who was arguably their best player.
With a 2-0 lead to protect, the home team packed men behind the ball and United found it difficult to find a way through. That is, until the last few minutes of the match, when Keane got his first goal of the season - a calm finish from close range after a scramble in the box.
It sparked a late surge from the Reds, with Morrison twice going close. But Platt repelled everything, consigning United to a second consecutive defeat.
United:
Lloyd-Weston; Thorpe,
Fornasier, McGinty, Fryers; Lingard, Tunnicliffe,
Pogba, Morrison, Ajose; W Keane.
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Nama" baru yg trial di UNITED selain Pogba yg udh resmi
