RESERVES: UNITED 1 ARSENAL 0
Premier League 2 | Leigh Sports Village | Scorers: Williams 7
Manchester United's Reserves picked up a welcome Premier League 2 win with Ro-Shaun Williams's early goal proving enough to defeat Arsenal at Leigh Sports Village.
The Gunners fielded a cosmopolitan team aged 19 or under and were soon behind. Josh Harrop's left-wing corner came off Sauvas Mourgos's head and Williams ducked to nod in at the far post to register his first goal at Reserves level.
Despite the excellent start, United saw little of the ball as the visitors controlled possession, without testing Sam Johnstone in the Reds' goal. Axel Tuanzebe may have handled inside the box when he made a slide tackle on Eddie Nketiah and Regan Poole was forced to make a fine challenge on the same player.
Ismail Bennacer hammered off target but chances were at a premium in the first half until Demi Mitchell, introduced to the line-up in place of Scott McTominay close to kick-off, threaded the ball through to Matthew Olosunde. It was a golden opportunity for the American but his shot was too close to Hugo Keto, who saved with his legs.
Soon afterwards, Sadiq El Fitouri cracked an effort well wide from the edge of the box while Olosunde made an important clearance as Arsenal pressed in the closing stages of the half with Bennacer also being refused optimistic claims for a penalty when taking a tumble.
United were much better after the break and asked plenty of questions of Keto in the visiting goal. Harrop and Joe Riley made driving runs from the left to force stops out of the Finn while Devonte Redmond's shot was too weak and easily held after being fed by Harrop.
More positive work by Riley should have yielded a second goal but Mitchell scuffed his shot, allowing Kostas Pileas to comfortably control and clear. Keto dived to keep out a low shot by Matty Willock and another decent attempt by Riley while Kris Da Grace was fortunate to get away with a handball inside the area from a corner.
Kaylen Hinds managed Arsenal's first shot on target in the 68th minute but Johnstone was quickly out to block with his legs as the north Londoners showed they were still in the game. However, the Gunners were indebted to Keto for keeping the Reds within touching distance as he made another reflex stop to thwart Harrop from a flick by the outstanding Riley.
Bennacer produced another wayward drive as injury time approached and the Reds managed to deservedly maintain the slender advantage to set things up nicely for Friday's afternoon encounter at Tottenham, which will be shown live on MUTV.
United: S.Johnstone; Williams, Tuanzebe, Poole, Riley; Redmond, El Fitouri; Olosunde, Willock (Scott 86), Harrop; Mitchell (Kehinde 67). Subs not used: O'Hara, Buffonge, Whelan.
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