Manchester United U18s recovered from their U18 Premier League loss to Manchester City last weekend, winning 2-0 at Middlesbrough in the U18 Premier League Cup.
Both teams failed to create chances early on until Samuel Lusale produced a moment of danger, charging down Boro goalkeeper Joseph Richardson.
The visitors responded instantly with a chance of their own, but goalkeeper Fred Heath was equal to the task.
Two minutes before the break, Man United got the breakthrough, thanks to JJ Gabriel’s hardwork.
The 14-year-old, who recently had a discussion with first-team manager Ruben Amorim on his philosophy, battled to win a loose ball, allowing Lusale to score with a first-time volley.
Gabriel appeared to have come out of the duel with an injury, but was given the all-clear to continue and got a pat on the back by coach Darren Fletcher for his industry.
Nathaniel Junior Brown struck a shot wide just after the restart, missing a chance to give Man United a two-goal lead.
Middlesbrough had two chances to level the scores afterwards. Heath made a comfortable save to deny the hosts before producing another brilliant save to keep out Cruz Ibel’s goal-bound effort.
Fletcher made two changes in the 73rd minute, and one of the substitutes, Douka Nkoto, made an instant impact. The winger won possession in the midfield and set up Lusale to score.
Eddie Ibrovic-Fletcher missed a chance to add to United’s advantage, with his shot drifting wide. A last-ditch tackle also prevented Lusale from scoring a hat-trick late on before fulltime.
United are top of group G, having won their first two games. They face Birmingham City on November 22 in their next game in the competition.