Photo by Poppy Townson - MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Poppy Townson - MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
Manchester United’s U18 side were back in action after three weeks off this weekend against Leeds in the Premier League North.
Just like the first team, Manchester United’s U18s hadn’t played a game in almost a month, with the international break being followed by a week off.
But this won’t have been a quiet week, with Darren Fletcher’s side now facing a run-in with four trophies on the line.
United will battle Crystal Palace in the FA Youth Cup semi-final next week, before also facing the Eagles in the final of the Premier League Cup the following week.
United’s run in started against Leeds in the league on Saturday, and Fletcher’s side claimed a 2-0 victory thanks to Jay McEvoy and JJ Gabriel’s goals.
JJ Gabriel celebrates, in Man Utd red kit
Photo by Anthony Devlin/Manchester United via Getty Images
Victory has moved them clear at the top of the table.
You can follow along with the game as it happened below.
United close again
United break through Jay McEvoy as he rides a handful of tackles and emerges between two defenders to then find Gabriel who sees his effort force a good save.
2-0 Manchester United
Gabriel sees his penalty saved, but the goalkeeper palms it into the danger zone, and he scores on his second go.
United pushing for a second
Ajayi and Brown have both had shots in the past few minutes, United starting to turn the screw.
1-0 Manchester United
Jay McEvoy opens the scoring with a brilliant strike from outside the box on his left foot into the bottom corner. Really well taken.
Assist: Helafu
United dominant but lacking attacking edge
United beginning to knock it around nicely, but little joy in terms of going forward.
Ibrovic-Fletcher faces his old side
One familiar name in the Leeds side is their number nine, Edward Ibrovic-Fletcher, who departed United in January.
Harley Emsden-James set for U18 debut
Emsden-James was signed last summer but this season he has been with the U16s and U17s, but today he step up into Fletcher’s side.
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Manchester United confirmed XI
Byrne-Hughes, Helafu, Mills (C), J. Watson, Plunkett, McEvoy, Shah, Brown, JJ Gabriel, Ajayi, Bradbury
United’s season will be made or broke in next three games
As of right now, United are still in the running to win a quadruple this season, but the next three games are key.
After the Leeds game, United face Palace next Friday at Old Trafford in the FA Youth Cup semi final before heading to Selhurst Park for the Premier League Cup final a week later.
Meanwhile, victory in the league is vital to avoid letting City run away with it.
United U18s are right in the title race
With five games to go in the league, United are joint top of the U18 table with Man City, although the Sky Blues have a game in hand.
Victory over Leeds would move United clear at the top, adding pressure onto City, who don’t play in the league this weekend.
Every game from now until the end of the season is effectively a cup final.