Manchester United’s U21 side were playing on Monday night against West Brom, and it was a big win.
Adam Lawrence had his first game in charge of the U21s on Monday, and it was a massive success for Manchester United.
Impressively, United walked out 5-1 winners, which sent the U21s back to the top of the Premier League 2 and very well positioned to go on and win the league.
Shea Lacey scored a hat-trick in the game, while another goalscorer was the academy’s new goal machine as he continued his hot form this season.
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Jayce Fitzgerald walking out for Manchester United.
Photo by Poppy Townson – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
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Louie Bradbury scores on Manchester United U21 debut
Louie Bradbury is a natural goalscorer, but there was a question whether he could adapt to higher age groups.
Now, having put a run of games together, his goals have carried up the age groups. Bradbury has scored every 66 minutes for the U18s this season, earning the opportunity to play for the U21s.
Louie Bradbury knee slide celebration for Manchester United.
Photo by Poppy Townson – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
Bradbury scored 41 goals across all competitions in 2024/25, but this season was expected to be a different challenge. The 17-year-old has however just continued scoring.
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Bradbury scored minutes after his season started, after a delay due to injury, and he hasn’t stopped since. This form continued on his debut for the U21s on Monday night in the 5-1 win.
The Welsh youth international scored the fifth goal of the game in the 87th minute to make it the perfect debut.
That makes it five in eight across U18 and U21 football this season as Bradbury establishes himself as arguably the academy’s best striker talent. But this opportunity for the U21s wouldn’t be possible without one decision from transfer deadline day.
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Louie Bradbury stats
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Bradbury is already benefiting from United loaning out Gabriele Biancheri
Transfer deadline day had only just come to an end when Bradbury scored for the U21s, a day in which United made the 17-year-old’s move up the age groups possible.
This is because United sanctioned the loan of Gabriele Biancheri to Rotherham, where he will link up with Dan Gore, and hopefully get lots of first team football for the Millers.
Biancheri, heading on loan to get first-team football, has now allowed United to push younger talents into the U21 side, fresh blood with the pipeline unclogged, and the same has happened in other positions.
Jacob Devaney, heading to St Mirren, saw Rafe McCormack in the U21s. While we can expect U18 wingers involved this season, too, with James Scanlon on loan.
This can only be a good thing for the young players, with increased exposure to higher levels of competition being good for development.
Bradbury has profited immediately, and we’re sure others will follow.
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