Academy Match Report: Manchester United U18s 4-1 Liverpool U18s

Academy Match Report: Manchester United U18s 4-1 Liverpool U18s Manchester United Under-18s hosted rivals Liverpool Under-18s at Carrington on Wednesday afternoon. Darren Fletcher’s side were back to full strength after heavily rotating at the weekend with the return of both JJ Gabriel and Jim Thwaites. The last time the two sides met, United came away with a resounding 7-0 win and aimed to do the same again.

First half The young Red Devils looked to take control from the start, with Noah Ajayi finding Louie Bradbury inside the box within a minute of the start, but the Welsh striker’s effort sailed wide of the post. United ultimately took the lead in the 18th minute. Rafe McCormack drove forward from the back and picked out Junior Brown, who flicked it on first time to Jay McEvoy, who drilled the ball past the keeper at the near post.

McEvoy did not just impress in the opposition box on the day; his defensive efforts proved important shortly after when he thwarted La’more Lee Forrester escaping down the wing. On the half-hour mark, McEvoy chipped the ball into Jim Thwaites in the area before running in for the return ball. He then jinked his way past the defender and slotted low off his left boot to make it 2-0 at the break.

Second half Junior Brown earned a free kick early in the second half in Thwaites territory, but the midfielder, who has garnered comparisons to David Beckham, could only strike the ball into the wall on this occasion. With just over an hour gone, Haydn Murray-Holme’s corner delivery to the front post was scuffed by Bradbury, allowing Joe Bradshaw to tap in from close range. Despite pulling one back, Liverpool never truly threatened United’s safety in the match.