Manchester United have won the opening round of this year’s FA Youth Cup against Derby County.
After last season’s fourth round exit, Manchester United’s under-18s are looking for a more successful FA Youth Cup campaign in 2023/24.
The campaign kicked off tonight with the young side taking their talents from Carrington’s training pitches to the stage of Old Trafford.
How United lined up
United’s took on Derby County, with starting line-up featuring one player signed from the Rams in 2021, James Scanlon, and another on the bench, Malachi Sharpe.
Louis Jackson was a notable name in the XI too, he started in the final in 2022 alongside Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho as the young Red Devils won the trophy.
Starters: Elyh Harrison; Harry Amass, Jack Kingdon, Louis Jackson, James Nolan; Finley McAllister, Jayce Fitzgerald, Jack Fletcher; Victor Musa James Scanlon, Ethan Wheatley.
Substitutes: Tom Myles, Habeeb Ogunneye, Reece Munro, Jacob Devaney, Ashton Missin, Ethan Williams, Malachi Sharpe.
Key moments
- 15 min: Disallowed: Ethan Wheatley curls in a terrific shot from the edge of the box but is immediately flagged offside.
- 17 min: Great work from Jack Fletcher leads to Jayce Fitzgerald firing narrowly over the bar.
- 33 min: Fletcher has a go himself after good work from Victor Musa, dragging a low shot just wide.
- 35 min: Elyh Harrison makes a superb save from close range to keep the game scoreless.
- 36 min: Wheatley is onside this time with a near identical effort – but his shot is saved.
- 39 min: A powerful shot from Victor Musa forces Derby goalkeeper Jack Thompson into a strong save.
- 54 min: United pressure through Wheatley and Musa forces a scramble with Derby just about clearing their lines.
- 61 min: Derby come close, hitting the bar from a shot which looked to have Harrison beaten.
- 62 min: Ashton Missin comes on for Victor Musa.
- 69 min: Ethan Williams comes on for Finley McAllister.
- 76 min: GOAL 1-0: Ethan Wheatley’s shot is saved after a great pass from James Scanlon, and Ethan Williams scores the rebound.
- 86 min: Jacob Devaney replaces James Scanlon.
Manchester United had the best of the first hour but as the game dragged on, Derby grew into it and began to get space on the counter.
With United running out of ideas, coach Adam Lawrence made a couple of changes and substitute Ethan Williams, 18, scored the winner seven minutes after coming on.
United were expected to win, having won 10 out of 10 league games, but playing at Old Trafford can provide its challenges, with opponents potentially having a once in a lifetime opportunity, and raising their game.
Derby were competitive and threatened to push the game to extra time and penalties, and Manchester United did well to ride the game out and secure the win.
The under-18s have only conceded six goals in the 10 league games this season and a strong defence underpinned this close victory. United will be hard to beat in this competition next year.
Goalscorer Ethan Williams has frequently played at under-21 level this season but is still eligible for this competition, and he was the difference maker this evening.
Next round
In the fourth round Manchester United will be away to Swindon Town, a fixture which must be played before January 20.
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