Manchester United’s under-21s won their first game of 2026, after a winter break.
The last game Manchester United’s under-21s played was back on December 19, a 2-0 win against Borussia Dortmund.
The team returned to action with a temporary new coach, due to Travis Binnion being seconded to work with Darren Fletcher in the first team.
Richard Curtis stepped up from managing at a younger age group, and led the under-21s to an impressive 4-1 win away to Wolves.
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First team experience helps under-21s win
The under-21 game provided an opportunity for a number of players to get some much needed minutes in.
Among these was Tyrell Malacia and Tyler Fredricson, who both featured in Manchester United’s last first team victory, against Newcastle on Boxing Day.
Jack Fletcher and Bendito Mantato were also involved, while recent first team substitutes Tyler Fletcher and Chido Obi both featured.
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Starting XI: Murdock, Malacia, Armer, Fredricson, Kamason, J. Fletcher, Devane, Fitzgerald, Scanlon, Mantato, Obi
Substitutes: Heath, Munro, T. Fletcher, Biancheri, Leon.
Tyrell Malacia warms up in bib
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United win 4-1
The highlight of a largely uneventful first half looked like being a halfway line effort from Jayce Fitzgerald that went just over the bar.
That was before Tyrell Malacia scored United’s opener in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Malacia pounced on a rebound from a Jack Fletcher free-kick to score from close range. He was the quickest to react and made Wolves pay.
United made changes at half-time with Diego Leon replacing Jayden Kamason, and the team were a little more lively.
Chido Obi came close to scoring when a shot was deflected narrowly over, and minutes later he found the back of the net.
A shot from James Scanlon was spilled into Obi’s path, and he took full advantage to score to make it 2-0.
Substitute Gabriele Biancheri also pounced on a loose ball in the box, and his shot was deflected over the goalkeeper into the net.
Wolves then pulled a goal back to make it 3-1, but there was time for United to score a fourth.
If there was something a little fortunate about all three of United’s first three goals, the final goal was the best of the bunch.
Tyler Fletcher combined with fellow substitute Biancheri on a quick counter attack, and the Welsh striker slipped Obi in for a scoring opportunity.
Obi scored by chipping the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper, grabbing his second of the game to make it 4-1.
Biancheri remains the under-21s top scorer with eight goals this season, with Obi now just one behind with seven.
Notably, Biancheri also leads the under-21s for assists with four.
The win places United’s under-21s top of Premier League 2, two points clear with a game in hand.
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