Manchester United were defeated by Real Madrid’s U21 side on Tuesday night at Old Trafford, but there were multiple performances worth highlighting from the game.
While Real Madrid Castilla beat Manchester United 4-2, the scoreline didn’t tell the full story, with Adam Lawrence’s side the better team for the majority of the first half, claiming a 2-0 lead before a Madrid comeback.
Jack Moorhouse’s goal was the highlight of the game, scoring in the top corner with such an emphatic strike that the goalkeeper couldn’t possibly have saved.
Meanwhile, Godwill Kukonki dominated down the left for United as he rampaged through Madrid’s efforts to tackle him. Another top performer was Samuel Lusale.
Samuel Lusale in action for Manchester United U18
Photo by Zohaib Alam – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
Who was Man United U21’s man of the match vs Real Madrid?
Despite a 4-2 loss, there were plenty of performances worth being excited about.
Jack Moorhouse celebrates scoring for Manchester United U21 v Real Madrid U21
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Samuel Lusale shines off the bench for Manchester United
In the second half, United introduced Lusale to the fray, coming on at left wing, and immediately he offered the Red Devils a different dimension.
Lusale is so fast, and his close control of the ball is brilliant, which saw him able to dribble through the Madrid midfield and back-line with relative ease, being brought down on multiple occasions as they struggled to handle him.
The winger had Madrid on strings, as every time he picked up the ball, he turned and looked to run at the opposition, only for moves to break down in the final third.
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His speed on the dribble is electric, and his impact from the bench was among the more memorable parts of the match for United.
This performance comes just weeks after he returned from injury, with Lusale’s return against Leeds U21 last week seeing him back in contention for the run-in.
Lusale had become a forgotten prospect at United, given his long injury and the rise of Noah Ajayi as a winger. But this display proved he cannot be forgotten in a summer when left-wingers are set to be a priority for United.
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Lusale could be set for two massive games against his former club
United signed Lusale from Crystal Palace back in 2024, and he’s since developed well, getting better in the academy for the Red Devils.
Lusale had been dominating the U18s earlier this season before injury, and his return from injury comes ahead of two massive games against Palace for the U18s.
First, United and Palace battle in the FA Youth Cup semi-finals at Old Trafford next Friday night.
Then, in the Premier League Cup final, United head to Selhurst Park, one which Lusale will surely be desperate to play in and impress.
These will be massive games for Lusale.
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