RESERVES : UNITED 1 VILLARREAL 0
Premier League International Cup | Leigh Sports Village | Scorer: Harrop 34
Manchester United started life in the Premier League International Cup with an excellent 1-0 victory over a strong Villarreal side, thanks to Josh Harrop's first-half strike.
The game was in some doubt due to power problems caused by the huge electrical storm that engulfed the Manchester area and forced City's Champions League tie with Borussia Monchengladbach to be postponed. Following an hour's delay, play did get under way and all credit to everybody at Leigh Sports Village for handling the adverse weather conditions.
It initially appeared as though the late start would affect the hosts as holders Villarreal almost scored twice in the opening minutes. Portuguese right-back Edgar Ie shot just wide after a raid down the flank and Jose Carlos Lazo was too unselfish in prodding the ball wastefully behind the goal when a goal seemed certain.
However, the Reds grew in stature and began to handle a new style of football for many of the youngsters. Harrop pulled a low shot off target when he had other options and the United no.10 was then booked for simulation after going to ground under Manuel Morlanes' challenge inside the box.
With Regan Poole and Axel Tuanzebe making some splendid last-ditch tackles, Warren Joyce's charges had the perfect platform to start threatening Joan Femenias' goal. Sadiq El Fitouri volleyed over the bar when the offside flag was up anyway against Scott McTominay before the opener arrived. On his first Reserves start, Ethan Hamilton won the ball tigerishly on Ramiro Guerro in the centre-circle and advanced to release a perfectly-timed pass into the path of Harrop, who slammed a left-foot finish inside Femenias' near post.
Felipe Alfonso and Daniel Raba, from a free-kick, worked Sam Johnstone and, when the keeper was not on hand, El Fitouri made an important clearance in first-half stoppage time. Matthew Olosunde replaced Devonte Redmond at the break while Villarreal's first two subs were aged 27 and 30, emphasising their superior experience.
United continued to keep the Spanish team at bay as the second half unfolded as both sides failed to create any real chances. Poole and Tuanzebe remained resolute at the heart of the defence and, for all the quality and nous in the Yellow Submarine ranks, Johnstone was barely extended.
Raba flickered into life when launching a long-range attempt that dropped dangerously over the bar before his pass fed Mario Gonzalez in the 76th minute and the striker's drive flew past Johnstone's outstretched left hand but bounced off the inside of a post to safety.
Femenias made a hash of a punch that led to McTominay almost bravely forcing the ball into the net but Juan Fernandez cleared over his own goal, spilling blood in the process. The tireless Joe Riley then pounded down the left to reach a Hamilton pass and crashed a shot wide as the Reds finished strongly. Nonetheless, the final effort of the game came from the bandaged head of Fernandez, who sent his header off target with time virtually up.
Middlesbrough and Sparta Prague are also in Group B but Joyce's youngsters can be proud of their wonderful start to the inter-continental competition.
United: Johnstone; El Fitouri, Tuanzebe, Poole, Riley; McTominay, Redmond (Olosunde 46); Scott, Harrop (Kehinde 81), Hamilton (Mitchell 96); Willock. Subs not used: Henderson, O'Connor, Doughty.
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