Manchester United’s U18s continued in winning fashion on Saturday to keep dreams of a second successive U18 Premier League alive.
Despite a happy conclusion, Adam Lawrence won’t have been comfortable for large periods of the game as his side gave Derby County a lead twice.
It was top-of-the-league Manchester United against third-placed Derby, with the game competitive as expected. The home side took the lead before Jim Thwaites‘ free-kick was nodded home by Dan Armer.
After this, the United academy went behind again, Lawrence turned to his bench and soon after Gabriele Biancheri converted Tyler Fletcher’s chipped cross to make it 2-2.
United won the game 3-2 in the end, with James Scanlon getting the winner from the penalty spot to put the Red Devils back on top of the league.
After the game, one player has been singled out for praise.
READ: Man Utd under-18s top scorers and assists in 2024/25, all results
Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images
Liam Bradford praises Amir Ibragimov’s impact
The real turning point in the game for United came in the 62nd minute when Lawrence did turn to the bench, bringing on Amir Ibragimov.
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As usual, the 16-year-old was a real bright spark and his impact changed the game for United as he played a huge part in the Biancheri goal, making the pass to Fletcher.
READ: Man Utd under-21s top scorers and assists in 2024/25, all results
Ibragimov also won the penalty from which Scanlon scored the winner.
Impressed with Ibragimov’s cameo, MUTV’s Liam Bradford discussed the impact that the Dagestan-born midfielder had.
“Amir Ibragimov has been a real danger, he made a big difference. He always finds space in between the lines and is a lot to deal with for defenders.”
Amir Ibragimov has become the unsung star of Manchester United’s U18s
While Chido Obi, Scanlon and Biancheri are stealing all the headlines, Ibragimov’s campaign has quietly been very promising. Ibragimov has been a ‘joy to watch’ for United, proving increasingly effective.
Ibragimov has racked up nine goals and seven assists across U21 and U18 levels this season but also has a bucketful of goals and assists in the U17s where he started this season.
Level Goals Assists
U18 7 7
U21 2 0
This has been Ibragimov’s first campaign as a U18 regular and he has lived up to his wonderkid billing despite being aged just 16 and has even looked like a level above when facing senior opposition.
Every time Ibragimov is brought onto the pitch, he makes a difference and his class, technical ability and intensity are noticeable qualities which make him an absolute star.