Manchester United U18s claimed a 3-2 victory over Sunderland in the FA Youth Cup semi-final at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening.
Chido Obi returned to action for the first time since coming off injured in the U21s’ 2-0 Premier League 2 defeat to Chelsea.
The game’s first chance fell to Sunderland inside 60 seconds, with midfielder Charles Dinsdale firing wide from range.
United’s first opportunity came in the 15th minute. JJ Gabriel combined with the returning Obi, but the latter sent his shot wide.
Gabriel was involved again shortly after, showing good footwork to create a shooting opportunity, only to fail to hit the target.
Noah Ajayi opened the scoring with a brilliant strike. He picked up possession from Sunderland’s half before darting towards goal and smashing past Joseph Cowan.
Sunderland nearly drew level just after the restart, as Godwill Kukonki’s goalline clearance denied Marcus Neill’s effort from going in.
Moments later, Neill thought he had scored with a looping shot that beat Cameron Bryne-Hughes, but it narrowly drifted wide.
The United goalkeeper handed the visitors the equaliser. Dinsdale then played Tom Proctor in and the latter thundered a shot off the bar and into the net.
The visitors went ahead with their next attacking move, with the unmarked Felix Scott finding the back of the net with a grounded finish.
Obi levelled for United, getting the better of skipper Finlay Holcroft before racing through on goal and beating Cowan with a precise finish.
Nathaniel-Junior Brown completed the turnaround in the 76th minute, blasting into the net from an acute angle, sealing United’s victory.
Following the result, Darren Fletcher’s side will now face Crystal Palace for a place in the final at Selhurst Park.