15/08/2016 - ManUtd.com, Adam Marshall
PREMIER LEAGUE 2:
UNITED 1 LEICESTER 0
Manchester United's Reserves struck late on to earn three welcome points in the Premier League 2 opener against Leicester City at Leigh Sports Village.
Demi Mitchell, whose penalty miss in the
last outing against Oldham Athletic in the
Lancashire Senior Cup semi-final proved
costly, was the hero as he came off the
bench to race onto Sam Johnstone's long
kick and produce a brilliant lob over Daniel
Iversen in the 87th minute.
The Foxes, fielding an experienced line-up, were the more dangerous side for long
periods and created three good chances
within the first eight minutes. Gokhan Inler
drifted a fierce drive wide, ex-Red Matty
James fired off target and Admiral Muskwe
forced a fine save out of Johnstone, who
turned the ball behind at his near post.
After Elliott Moore headed off target for the
visitors, United's best moment of the
opening 45 minutes came when Tosin
Kehinde knocked the ball back to Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and the fit-again defender unleashed a powerful effort that was well held by Iversen.
Skipper James Weir had the ball in the net
but only after Borthwick-Jackson was
harshly adjudged offside but Leicester
controlled the remainder of the half. Regan Poole blocked shots by Poland
international Bartosz Kapustka and
Muskwe when the Foxes looked to profit
from finding space in the area.
More former Reds came close as Tom
Lawrence wriggled free to bend one wide
and Ritchie De Laet missed a headed
opportunity before lashing a rising drive
over Johnstone's bar.
Warren Joyce's men were brighter after the
interval with Matty Willock's shot fielded
by Iversen following a purposeful run by
Josh Harrop. The immaculate Axel
Tuanzebe had to be alert at the other end
to block a Kaputska attempt when
Johnstone parried Liam Moore's volley
while the Reds keeper did superbly to
ensure Poole did not put through his own
net from a Lawrence centre.
Demi Mitchell came on to add more
attacking verve to United's line-up but
Leicester continued to press with Inler
wildly shooting wide twice and Kairo
Mitchell forcing the pick of Johnstone's
saves with a low drive. Johnstone thwarted Kairo Mitchell again moments later after the forward turned Poole on the edge of the area.
As as is often the case, United dug deep
and, when De Laet shot tamely into
Johnstone's arms, the impressive keeper
launched the ball downfield in Demi
Mitchell's direction. The substitute showed his pace to run through and his finish over the stranded Iversen was right out of the top drawer.
It was enough to take the points for the
Reserves, whose team spirit continues to
deserve the utmost praise. Southampton
are the next opponents, in a week's time,
at St Mary's Stadium.
United: Johnstone; Riley, Poole, Tuanzebe,
Borthwick-Jackson; Redmond, Willock;
Olosunde (Mitchell 69), Harrop, Kehinde;
Weir. Subs not used: Henderson, Scott,
Whelan, Tanner.
