The Academy Scoop Weekly Round-up
It was another busy week for Carrington, as United's academy sides (U18 & U21) took on Hertha Berlin, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.
Travis Binion’s under-21s suffer a deflating finish in Salford:
The week begun at Salford City’s Peninsula Stadium - while United’s usual academy stadium in Leigh Sports Village was unavailable - as the Reds hosted Hertha Berlin’s under-21s in the Premier League International Cup. The competition pits the PL2’s top 16 sides from the previous season against 16 internationally invited clubs, Hertha Berlin being one of them.
According to the Premier League, the purpose of the competition is: “To give homegrown talent the chance to test themselves against a range of different European opponents in a range of different settings and allows all participating players and staff to develop themselves to the demands and different styles presented by European opponents.”
A huddle of Hertha Berlin ultras occupied one corner of the ground, and ensured that their presence was known throughout the game. The intensity of their chanting verged on being comical given the nature of the match.
Travis Binion fielded a strong side, featuring a mix of experience and raw talent -
United’s starting eleven: Graczyk (GK); Kamason, Jackson, Kingdon, Amass; Fitzgerald, Gore, Scanlon; Missin, Wheatley, Mather.
On the bench: Moorhouse, Baumann, Fletcher, Mantato, Biancheri, Murdock (GK), Rowe.
United started on the front-foot, and within the first minute found themselves with a chance to go ahead through Ethan Wheatley, who had intercepted a Hertha defender’s attempted pass out from the back. To Wheatley’s frustration, his shot deflected off the post and was collected by the opposition keeper.
Wheatley popped up again in the fifth minute with another big opportunity, as the towering striker was found free in the box by Dan Gore, but his low-driven shot drifted just wide.
Travis Binion’s side had enjoyed the lions’ share of early chances, but Hertha soon found their feet, and begun building some momentum of their own. The German side were very clearly well drilled, and a handful to deal with in terms of physicality for United’s relatively young side. Once their shape and pressing structure had settled, the visitors became extremely difficult for United to break down, despite the technical brilliance of Dan Gore and Jayce Fitzgerald at the base of United’s midfield.
Hertha had begun pressing high up the pitch, which proved troublesome for United as they struggled to play through the German outfit’s press.
The majority of Hertha’s attacking threat came from wide areas, as Kamason was given the troublesome task of dealing with recurrent attacking overloads on his side. The German’s would routinely double up with a winger and an overlapping full-back providing wide support, making Kamason’s life very difficult. Luckily though United were able to prevent Hertha from mustering any clear cut chances through the first-half. Kamason, who looks set to be a regular in Travis Binion’s under-21 side having impressed for the under-18s last season, was bright in possession and got stuck into his duels admirably.
Just before the break Hertha had ball in the back of the net, though the linesman’s flag went up and the goal was chalked off, saving United at least for the time being.
United’s pivot of Gore and Fitzgerald gradually grew into the game, making their quality known in possession as they searched for solutions to Hertha’s rigid defensive structure and intense press - the pair both possessing exceptional progressive abilities and press resistance. Gore in particular stamped his authority on the game in the second half, making several outlandish carries through the heart of Hertha’s midfield, one of which led to a dangerous free-kick opportunity from scoring-range, though United were unable to convert.
60’ - Triple change for United as Zach Baumann, Tyler Fletcher and Jack Moorhouse replace Dan Gore, Jayce Fitzgerald and James Scanlon.
The majority of United’s limited threat emanated from a left side comprised of Amass, Mather, Gore and at times Fitzgerald - the talented quartet offering some hope of breaking down Hertha’s stubborn block, though United’s eventual breakthrough would come through the centre as the newly introduced Zach Baumann exchanged a give-and-go on the edge of the box with striker Ethan Wheatley, who slipped the Ukraine-eligible midfielder through between Hertha’s defenders to finish and put United 1-0 up.
United’s valiant efforts to protect their lead proved futile in the 93rd minute, as Hertha were awarded an extremely generous penalty. Tyler Fletcher was deemed to have caught an opposition attacker with his leg in the box, though the contact was minimal. Hertha’s ever-present ultras erupted in roars of elation as 23 year-old Ensar Aksakal put his penalty away, securing a point for the visiting side.
Manchester United’s under-18s suffer their first defeat of the campaign… just:
Adam Lawrence’s under-18s made the trip down to London this weekend for their second Premier League Cup fixture of the season, against Tottenham Hotspur.
United’s starting eleven: Murdock (GK); Plunkett, Kukonki, Munro, Armer; T. Fletcher, Fitzgerald, Baumann; Mantato, Scanlon, Biancheri.
On the bench: Thwaites, Byrne-Hughes, Lacey, Ibragimov, Musa.
The Reds’ defence of the Premier League Cup trophy - having won it last season - begun against Leicester City’s under-18s, which made for entertaining viewing (albeit through a score-update app with MUTV coverage absent for this game) as Biancheri’s 97th minute winner secured a brace as well as three points for his side.
United went into this weekend’s fixture still buzzing off the high of their 9-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers in the U18 Premier League North - their fifth win of the league campaign, maintaining a frightening 100% win-rate, with 22 goals scored and just one (!) conceded; numbers that warrant the confidence United exude on the pitch.
The first half of Saturday’s clash with Tottenham however would prove to curb some of that inevitable exuberance, as within just 25 minutes the Reds found themselves three goals behind.
Spurs’ opener arrived in the fifth minute, as Ellis Lehane capped off a move started by Jun’ai Byfield. The centre-back strode with menace out of his defensive line all the way into the final third, before releasing to Williams-Barnett, who would then play a wonderfully weighted through ball into the path of Lehane. Lehane found himself with the easiest task of the three, as he confidently finished past Murdock from close range.
Williams-Barnett had arguably been Tottenham’s brightest attacker in the opening stages, and was determined to increase his side’s goal surplus. In the eighteenth minute, Lehane - who had already caused United’s back line all sorts of problems found a way through once more and fashioned a shot that Murdock could only push back into play. Williams-Barnett had positioned himself well to capitalise on the rebound, and slotted home calmly for Tottenham’s second.
It took just seven minutes for Williams-Barnett to strike again, as United’s day went from bad to worse. The winger cut in from the left flank onto his stronger right-foot and finished past Murdock’s far post to add a third, compounding United’s misery, and seemingly putting the game to bed just 25 minutes deep. Plunkett - a left-back recently signed from Aston Villa, was playing out of his natural position at right-back on this occasion, and so can be afforded some understanding for his struggles in containing Williams-Barnett on the right flank.
Just twice had the ball had crept over United’s near-impenetrable goal line in all competitions up to this point in the season, and so as you’d imagine this early blitz came as some shock - not only to the players but to Adam Lawrence and his staff, one could assume.
Spurs had been impressively clinical, while United were uncharacteristically easy to break down. Despite this there were bright individual showings from United, particularly from midfielders Zach Baumann and Jayce Fitzgerald as well as right-winger Bendito Mantato - the latter creating the majority of United’s early goal threat down the right-flank. The key difference between Saturday’s disappointing performance and the typical showings Adam Lawrence’s side have become known for, stemmed from a rare lack of tactical cohesion in terms of adherence to the press and defensive structure out of possession. It’s possible that an element of complacency played some role in this, given that United had been so dominant domestically up to this point, though I’m sure that this will prove to be a minor blip, rather than any real cause for concern.
United went into half time three goals down, eager to rectify the frustrations of the opening forty-five, but Williams-Barnett had other ideas. Six minutes into the second half, Tyrese Hall played Williams-Barnett through between Armer and Fitzgerald in the centre of defence with a lovely trivela pass, gifting him a golden opportunity to add Spurs’ fourth and complete his hat-trick, which he executed confidently. The home side’s goal came against the run of play, as United had been relatively dominant in possession throughout the latter stages of the first-half.
51’ - Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 Manchester United.
Confidence was at rock-bottom, but Adam Lawrence had a trick up his sleeve, and around the sixtieth minute made a change that would flip the game’s momentum on its head: the introduction of Shea Lacey.
The young winger came on for just his second appearance since returning from a prolonged injury absence after suffering a quad tear requiring over five months of rehab and recovery. With a left-foot made of gold, low centre of gravity and supreme technical and creative qualities, Shea Lacey is a name that’s been on the lips of United’s academy followers for a long time, and so his return to fitness comes as a great relief to many.
Every time United were in possession, the aim was to get him on the ball, and every time they did, Spurs looked visibly terrified.
Fifteen minutes after his introduction, having already made a noticeable impact on United’s attacking dynamics, Lacey chipped in with his first goal, assisted by fellow second-half substitute Amir Ibragimov. The finish mirrored Williams-Barnett’s second but from the opposite side - bursting past Spurs’ left-back, cutting in and slotting past the near post.
Two minutes later, Lacey halved United’s deficit with a less elegant, but equally meaningful goal. Biancheri picked up a loose Spurs ball around the edge of the box, and slipped Lacey through, who then cut onto his weaker right foot, and fired a shot at Tottenham’s keeper who fumbled his save, letting the ball cross the goal line (just).
Lacey had single-handedly made things competitive again, and suddenly Tottenham’s confidence had turned into panic.
At the 86 minute mark, Biancheri was taken down in the box after being played through by Lacey, winning a penalty for United. The Welshman stepped up and converted calmly for his twelfth goal of the season, and in doing so put United within reaching distance of a result.
There was a palpable desperation on United’s part to find an equaliser, and they almost did in the 96th minute. Lacey, who had been nothing short of outstanding since his introduction was found by Jayce Fitzgerald’s long-range switch. The winger brought the ball down and started his offensive, taking it round Spurs’ left-back and dribbling along the touchline. England under-17 captain Malachi Hardy squared up to Lacey, but was left in the dust, as United’s right-winger powered towards goal, before picking out Victor Musa in a pocket space amongst the chaos of the box. Unfortunately, Musa was unable to put the necessary lift on the ball to clear Spurs’ blockade of defenders, and the opportunity faded away.
The referee soon blew for full-time, as United were held to a defeat despite showing courageous fighting spirit in the second half. The match provided United’s under-18s with a valuable test of character, being put in a foreign position at four goals down, but they took to the task admirably, and will no doubt learn from the experience.
United as a result sit second in Group B of the Premier League Cup, behind Leeds and ahead of Spurs on goal difference and Leicester who are without a single point as of yet.
United’s under-21s are held to defeat by Liverpool in Leigh:
Sunday’s PL2 fixture between two fierce rivals in Manchester United and Liverpool at Leigh Sports Village promised to be a tense affair, as is often the case when these sides meet regardless of the age group involved.
Travis Binion named a heavily rotated side featuring seven changes from Tuesday’s fixture against Hertha Berlin, with Mee, Ogunneye, Fredricson, Collyer, Fletcher, Williams and Ennis entering the side.
United’s starting eleven: Mee (GK), Amass, Fredricson, Kingdon, Ogunneye; Gore (C), Collyer, Fletcher; Williams, Wheatley, Ennis.
On the bench: Graczyk, Jackson, Kamason, Rowe, Mather.
Discussions before the game centred around the midfield battle that would pit United’s talented midfield trio of Dan Gore, Toby Collyer and Jack Fletcher against Liverpool’s Trey Nyoni, Tyler Morton and Dominic Corness. Nyoni’s proximity in particular to the first team setup at Liverpool echoes that of Collyer and Gore - a parallel which would make for an interesting contest.
United’s right-winger Ethan Ennis went into the game with a point to prove against his former club Liverpool, from whom he joined United in 2021 - the Red Devils beating Chelsea amongst other clubs for his signature.
Saturday’s star Shea Lacey was present at Leigh to watch United’s under-21s, 24 hours after his brilliant substitute appearance against Spurs, alongside several other academy players.
As was the case earlier in the week against Hertha Berlin, Ethan Wheatley started on the front-foot, immediately applying pressure on Liverpool’s keeper Kornel Misciur who not long ago joined the Merseyside club from Hull City. Misciur hesitated when releasing the ball, almost gifting Wheatley an opportunity to steal it and put his side ahead. Luckily for Liverpool he was able to regain his composure and clear his lines.
Keiran Morrison, a Liverpool player who spent a number of years in United’s academy ranks joined the action in the 12th minute, as Tommy Pilling was forced off through injury, appearing to have felt something in his knee.
Trey Nyoni, who is highly regarded within England’s youth setup as well as Liverpool’s first team, was kept largely quiet throughout the game, as Collyer and Gore effectively carried out their defensive responsibilities from the base of United’s midfield. Nyoni’s quality was evident in the subtle details like his first touch and pass selection, though the Leicester youth product was never truly able to get going.
One of United’s brighter players particularly in the first half for me was Tyler Fredricson - another youngster who only recently returned from a lengthy injury bout. The 2022 FA Youth Cup winner looked assured on the ball, routinely sending line-breaking passes into United’s pivot of Gore and Collyer, as well as showing courage in carrying the ball goalward himself. One particularly impressive instance of this around the 25th minute mark saw 19 year-old Fredricson embark on a solo offensive from his defensive line to Liverpool’s box, prompting the referee to book Liverpool’s Lee Jonas who was forced to foul United’s centre-back to avoid conceding a goalscoring opportunity. Fredricson also contributed significantly to United’s defensive efforts, popping up with a number of important blocks, tackles and interceptions throughout the game.
United’s best chance of the first half came in the 27th minute from a move that started in United’s midfield: Collyer recovered possession before passing forward to Jack Fletcher in the centre, who then set Ogunneye free on the right-wing. Ogunneye looked up and delivered a powerful cross into Ennis in the centre of Liverpool’s box, though the ball’s lack of height prevented him from getting any real power behind his effort, and Misciur was able to save calmly.
Dan Gore also found a grove late in the first half, and begun probing at Liverpool’s defensive core, with a handful of runs that echoed those of Tuesday evening’s performance. One of these runs almost led to goal, as a neat drop of the shoulder sent two of Liverpool’s defenders the wrong way, but Gore was unable to trouble Misciur, who had impressed with regard to shot-stopping.
United fashioned another big chance just before half time, as Collyer slipped through Gore, who then played wonderfully weighted disguised through ball into the path of Ennis, whose effort from very close range was deflected very nearly rolling into Liverpool’s goal.
Ultimately though United were unable to break the deadlock, and went into half time level with the visitors.
Travis Binion looked to have implemented some tactical tweaks upon half time, as Ogunneye inverted into the right central midfield position while United formed a 3-2-5 shape in possession with Collyer dropping into the left side of a back three. This revised shape led to new passing angles and resultingly a more fluid build-up phase for United.
With 68 minutes gone by, Liverpool found a breakthrough in the form of a goalkeeper error. Dermot Mee looked understandably frustrated with himself after gifting Tyler Morton the ball on the edge of the box. United’s keeper did well to save the initial effort but could do nothing about the follow-up, as Morton composed himself and finished into United’s empty net. Pathetic fallacy amplified the deflated mood as rain begun pouring down at Leigh Spots Village.
It’s worth noting that Dermot Mee has produced a number of performances to be proud of in recent weeks especially in terms of his distribution and ball playing. Every young keeper is bound to make costly mistakes and this was one of them, but I’m confident that Mee will take this in his stride and use the blunder as a learning experience as opposed to getting caught up on it.
Liverpool were content with sitting deep and soaking up the pressure until the full-time whistle blew, despite United’s attempts to find an equaliser, and so ultimately had to settle for defeat.
Chido Obi-Martin announces his transfer to Manchester United:
In more positive news for the Reds, highly rated Danish striker prospect Chido Obi-Martin (16) took to social media over the weekend to announce that he’s joined Manchester United.
United faced competition from the likes of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City for the Arsenal product’s signature, demonstrating the talent young Obi-Martin is deemed to possess.
The post included a previously unseen photograph of a very young Chido Obi-Martin wearing a Manchester United kit, confirming his rumoured long standing affection for the club.
It’s expected that United will give Chido Obi-Martin the necessary time to acclimatise to his new environment and return to full fitness levels having missed out on a formal pre-season.