A four-goal haul for Charlie McNeill condemned Manchester City U18 to their first league defeat of the season and extended Manchester United’s advantage at the top of the table.
McNeill re-joined United from City in summer and kissed the United badge in the midst of derby joy for the Reds.
It’s another in a string of name-making performances in the United academy. Joe Hugill hit four against Liverpool, Shola Shoretire scored a hat-trick against Blackburn and now McNeill has provided a brilliant four himself.
The English striker led a much-depleted United from the front as Neil Ryan’s side hosted City in the swirling wind of Carrington.
Manchester United U18s beat City with long list of absentees
Despite the long list of absentees, United began well with McNeill grabbing a brace within 20 minutes.
The first was a perfectly-directed header past McNamara after an inswinging corner from Charlie Savage. The second was a penalty which McNeill saw saved before converting the rebound. Wellens, McNeill and Emeran had combined to win the spot-kick.
Charlie McNeill kisses United badge as he scores four against old club City
Quality turned farcical near the end of the first half. United put the ball out to allow the injured Rhys Bennett to receive treatment. City returned it from the throw-in but as United’s players tried to let the ball go out once again for a goal-kick, City’s Sodje nicked in and tucked it past Vitek for a goal. In Bielsa-style of a couple of seasons ago, after a few confrontations, City allowed United to score immediately after. McNeill simply walked through the team and put it away. That was his hat-trick goal. He would make up for the underwhelming nature of it later.
City pulled it back early in the second half. Carlos Borges paced past Marc Jurado on the left wing and cut it across for Sodje to score his second from close-range. That pairing should have scored an equaliser soon after but Sodje headed wide.
McNeill scores stunning fourth to wrap United win up
United tired as the game continued but McNeill wrapped it up late on, robbing the last defender and finishing fantastically into the top corner. City had not lost in the league since November 2019 (against United) and this result was an impressive one given how many players were missing for the Reds. It takes them six points clear at the top of the U18 Premier League.
- One Man Utd youngster has just cemented himself in Michael Carrick’s first-team plans for next season
- Four biggest winners from Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat against Wrexham
- Andrey Santos was doing something so impressive vs Wrexham that Benjamin Sesko will love
- Michael Carrick has a player destined for stardom at Man Utd, 17th minute vs Wrexham proved it
- Radek Vitek’s display has Man Utd fans now in full agreement after 1-0 defeat against Wrexham
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
