Manchester United’s U21 side were in action on Friday afternoon, continuing a winning start to this season.
Travis Binnion’s side boast a 100 per cent Premier League 2 record after two games this season with what looks like a squad worthy of a title challenge.
Manchester United began the season with a 1-0 away win against Middlesbrough, with Ethan Ennis scoring a brilliant goal to convert Jack Fletcher’s assist.
This win followed United’s abandoned National League Cup clash with Tamworth, and now, the Red Devils have notched up another win.
At Carrington on Friday, United welcomed Norwich and walked out of the game 4-2 winners despite a few sweaty moments which saw the visitors equalise and make it 3-2 at one stage.
Another win sees United currently top of the table and looking well placed to have a strong season with much of that treble winning U18 side now involved at the higher level.
Sam Mather dribbles the ball for United's under-21 side
Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images
Chido Obi among goalscorers as Sam Mather steals show
United’s U21 side is packed with quality, and it showed on Friday with four goals seeing the Canaries stand no chance.
Chido Obi opened the scoring for United in the 14th minute, as he looks to stake a claim for minutes against Grimsby in the Carabao Cup. Additionally, Obi will be looking to impress the Danish U21 boss who has admitted to watching the 17-year-old closely.
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Norwich then equalised before Dan Armer re-established the lead two minutes afterwards in the 23rd, with James Scanlon claiming the assist.
It then took United until the 53rd minute to score again when Ennis scored his second of the season, provided by an assist from Sam Mather.
Then, it was Jack Fletcher who completed the scoring in the 81st minute thanks to an assist from Mather, making it 4-2 and beyond doubt.
Sam Mather needs loan away from Manchester United
So while Obi and Fletcher are the big named academy players to score, Mather quietly starred for United with his pair of assists, but he shouldn’t be playing at this level.
Last season, Mather scored 11 and assisted four at U21 level which shows he is probably too far in his development to be playing youth football.
Mather struggled at Tranmere on loan, but he wasn’t given a fair opportunity there, with the manager barely giving him any time.
United should be looking to send Mather either to Lausanne or another club in Europe where he might be more valued during a loan.
His qualities are better suited to European football and so Jonny Evans needs to make it happen.