Under-18s: United 2 Wolves 0
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Barclays U18 Premier League
J. Davidson Stadium, Altrincham
UNITED U18 2
(Rashford 65, Croskery 85)
WOLVES U18 0
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Report by Adam Marshall
Manchester United's Under-18s enjoyed an evening outing at Altrincham's J. Davidson Stadium as second-half strikes by Marcus Rashford and Ruairi Croskery earned a 2-0 triumph over Wolves.
Both efforts came from close range following incisive moves to clinch a third victory of the campaign and coach Paul McGuinness will be pleased his youngsters took their opportunity to impress in front of a crowd as well as the live MUTV cameras, particularly with leading scorer Demetri Mitchell ruled out through injury.
The first half was a lively affair, even if the chances dried up as it wore on. The two sides looked committed under the lights with Cameron Borthwick-Jackson spurning a glorious early chance when his glancing header from a Joe Riley cross went wide on seven minutes.
Dean Henderson did well to thwart Regan Upton and saw Mekhi Leacock-McLeod find the side-netting with the rebound and the visitors went close again when Jesse Devers was unable to convert a Ryan Rainey cross-shot. However, United came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first period as Riley's shot deflected into Croskery's path and, although he scrapped his way past keeper Harry Burgoyne, the angle was too tight and he could only hit the outside of a post.
In the second half, Devers tried another airborne attempt but, again, could not connect properly while a Riley shot lacked conviction following a cut-back by Devonte Redmond. After Aaron Hayden robbed Callum Gribbin to shoot straight at Dean Henderson, the Reds applied some pressure themselves. Axel Tuanzebe's through ball released Rashford but, despite illustrating his superb acceleration, his finish lacked control and flew wide.
Rashford's next effort was more productive as he supplied a simple finish from inside the six-yard box following more good work by the impressive Riley, who latched onto a Gribbin pass to outstrip Hayden, to notch his first goal of the season.
Zach Dearnley replaced the goalscorer with 16 minutes remaining as Wolves struggled to press in search of an equaliser. Croskery was guilty of a handball as the hosts looked for a killer second goal and it arrived when Ro-Shaun Williams got the ball forward and Dearnley unselfishly teed up Croskery for another straightforward finish with only five minutes left.
The Reds have arranged two other fixtures at the Moss Lane venue, against Newcastle United and Liverpool, and there were plenty of positives to take from the night's work.
United: Henderson; Reid, Tuanzebe, Williams, Borthwick-Jackson; Riley, Thompson, Redmond, Gribbin (McTominay 80), Rashford (Dearnley 74); Croskery. Subs not used: Dorrington, Warren, Rathbone.
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