Academy Match Report: Manchester United U18s 3-0 Blackburn Rovers U18s

Academy Match Report: Manchester United U18s 3-0 Blackburn Rovers U18s Manchester United Under-18s hosted Blackburn Rovers Under-18s on Saturday morning at Carrington. As has become expected, Michael Carrick was in attendance to watch United, including his son, Jacey Carrick, who featured for the Under-16s on the adjacent pitch. First half United were on top from the start but struggled to find an end product, with early chances for JJ Gabriel and Jim Thwaites missing the target.

Louie Bradbury came closest to opening the scoring in the 24th minute when he struck the ball against the left post after Noah Ajayi stole the ball from Blackburn high up the pitch. A heavy touch from Thwaites in midfield gave Blackburn a rare opening, but Fred Heath and Albert Mills combined quickly to snuff out the chance. There was a scramble in the Blackburn area towards the end of the half that saw Gabriel, Godwill Kukonki, and Bradbury all have efforts blocked off the goal line, somehow keeping the match scoreless at the break.

Second half Some sloppy play at the back from United caused a nervy start to the second half for Darren Fletcher’s side, but it was United who made the breakthrough in the 53rd minute. A quick break down the right wing with Junior Brown and Yuel Helafu ended with the ball centred to Gabriel, who spun his marker and was taken down for a penalty. Gabriel stepped up to the spot and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner for his 23rd goal of the season.

Kai Rooney was introduced after the hour mark, having started the Under-16s match on the opposite pitch where he scored two goals and assisted twice. Brown initiated the move down the right wing before squaring to Rooney, who took the ball on the turn and fired low under the keeper from 20 yards out. Thwaites put the match to bed in the 71st minute with yet another free-kick goal.