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Old 26-01-2016, 04:27 AM   #14
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Default Re: Man United U-21 Matches 2015/16



UNDER-21S: UNITED 1 SUNDERLAND 0

Barclays Under-21 Premier League | 25 January 2016 | Scorer: Weir 69

Manchester United continue to hunt down Sunderland at the Barclays Under-21 Premier League summit as a 1-0 victory closes the gap at the top to three points.

James Weir scored the only goal of an entertaining clash at Leigh Sports Village in the second half and, although it was no more than the Reds deserved for another splendid showing, they had to be on their mettle throughout the 90 minutes.

The Black Cats showed why they are top of the league with a resolute performance, even if the Reds asked all the questions with some probing play. The visitors' centre-forward Mikael Mandron was unable to reach a Carl Lawson cross and had the first shot on 19 minutes when screwing well wide but Warren Joyce's men soon took control.

Adnan Januzaj bounced a corner against the near post and he also fired into the side-netting following a lovely move which included Weir's cross being inches too high for Will Keane in the middle. Andreas Pereira's free-kick deserved a finishing touch in the six-yard area but Januzaj took centre stage as he continued to tease his markers.

The Belgian made a speedy break deep into Sunderland territory and, after a devastating run, went for goal with his unmarked colleagues frustrated as the ball flew over the bar. Only a fine defensive header by Liam Agnew prevented another Januzaj corner entering the net with the youngster clearly out to emulate Pereira's feat against Tottenham Hotspur Under-21s recently.

As half-time approached, Keane controlled a return pass by Januzaj and showed nice technique to get an instant shot away but it was well held by Maksymilian Stryjek. The keeper made a similar stop to deny Joe Riley following the restart as the Wearsiders worked hard to frustrate the dominant hosts.

The chances dried up a little until Januzaj mustered a couple of attempts on target, with Stryjek turning behind a powerful drive after Keane was tackled as he latched onto a Joe Riley cross. A brilliant pass by Josh Harrop picked out Keane but Stryjek again saved well, as the pressure began to mount again.

It was Weir who broke the deadlock on 69 minutes with United's 17th shot of the night following a fantastic move. Matty Willock found Keane and his sublime touch allowed Weir to burst into the box and supply a neat finish.

Weir, who was on the bench for the first-team game at Newcastle, forced a diving stop out of Stryjek seconds later and the goal forced the Black Cats to show a little more ambition. There was a real escape when a rare raid by Rees Greenwood down the left allowed him to tee up Mandron for a simple opening but Donald Love somehow managed to deflect it off the line and out for a corner with his back.

Sunderland pressed in the closing stages, though Januzaj had a couple of long-range efforts on the break and Keane was thwarted by a fine Stryjek save in the final minute, as Joyce's side showed another side of the game to close out three vital points in the defence of the title. Joel Pereira clutched a Martin Smith free-kick in stoppage time to ensure United are within touching distance at the top with three games in hand.

United: J.Pereira; Varela, Williams, Love, Riley; Willock, A.Pereira, Harrop; Januzaj (McTominay 93), Keane, Weir. Subs not used: Henderson, El Fitouri, Rothwell, Rashford.

Code:
http://www.manutd.com/en/Players-And-Staff/Reserves/Reserves-News/2016/Jan/u21s-match-report-manchester-united-v-sunderland.aspx?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=ManUtd

Last edited by alfiandrmwn; 26-01-2016 at 04:34 AM..
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