Man United U-18 Matches 2016/17

[Andi Istiabudi]

Tim muda United kalah nih..



UNDER-18S: UNITED 0 ARSENAL 3

Under-18 Premier League Merit Group | J. Davidson Stadium | Scorers: Willock 15, 74, Fortune 90+5

Arsenal's Joe Willlock, brother of Manchester United's Matty, struck a double and Yassin Fortune added a third to condemn the Reds to a home defeat and end any outside hopes of the Under-18 Premier League title.

The Reds lost George Tanner in the warm-up to a calf strain, with Jake Barrett taking his place at right-back, and the bad luck continued when the match got under way.

Callum Gribbin cut across an effort that flew wide as he looked to build on his six goals in six appearances at this level in 2016/17, before visiting keeper Joao Virginia proved his worth. The Portuguese youngster made a great stop to thwart Nishan Burkart, when Jake Kenyon whipped in a cross, before denying Ethan Hamilton.

Gribbin released Zak Dearnley, only for Virginia to dive to save well, and, moments later, the Gunners scored very much against the run of play. A long ball through the middle exposed the United defence and Willock shot low past Theo Richardson.

Eddie Nketiah volleyed a great chance over the top after more indecisive defending and Donyell Malen shot off target following a forceful run as the Reds were rocked. However, the Londoners continued to give possession away cheaply in their own half, even if Dearnley was unable to capitalise with Virginia making a comfortable stop.

Burkart really should have levelled just before the break but he could not keep his close-range effort down, after some fine work down the flank by Hamilton. Scottish midfielder Hamilton tried his luck himself after the interval but his shot curled inches wide from outside the box.

Arsenal grew in confidence as the second half wore on with Kenyon forced into two outstanding pieces of defending, getting back to rob Malen and making a vital goalline clearance. Malen also miskicked a clear chance and it was no great surprise when Willock latched onto a Nketiah pass and shrugged off Tyrell Warren, before firing through Richardson's legs at his near post.

Reiss Nelson and Vlad Dragomir forced Richardson into making decent saves, as United struggled to mount a comeback, but the keeper had no chance when Fortune ran onto a pass by Willock to steer in an injury-time third.

James Garner did get off the bench to make his Under-18s debut and the Reds have one match left, against Blackburn Rovers, a week on Friday, while the Gunners can still catch Chelsea at the top of the division.

United: Richardson; Barrett, Warren, Dunne, Kenyon; Whelan, Hamilton; Bohui, Gribbin, Dearnley (Makela 80); Burkart (Garner 54). Subs not used: Fojticek, Spratt.

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