Key points
Manchester United’s under-18 side faced Sunderland in the FA Youth Cup quarter-final on Wednesday night. United in Focus were live at Old Trafford to provide all the latest updates from the game.
Darren Fletcher brought his side to Old Trafford once again, for the latest challenge in pursuit of the FA Youth Cup, and it proved a tough task.
Manchester United claimed a lead through Noah Ajayi, who scored a wonderful solo goal. However, a poor start to the second half from United allowed Sunderland back into the game as they pulled it back to 2-1.
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However, as is the spirit of the club, United weren’t down and out with Chido Obi and Junior Brown scoring to re-take the lead.
A hard-fought victory for United, who will be back at Old Trafford for the semi-final next month against Crystal Palace.
United in Focus will be live from Old Trafford with all the latest coverage of the game before, during, and after the game.
- Manchester United (Ajayi, Obi, Brown) 3-2 Sunderland
Should be game over
Obi does well to work an angle for his shot, but it’s struck directly at the goalkeeper.
[Link]Gabriel wants his goal
Another effort from Gabriel blocked; he’s desperate to get in on the scoring.
[Link]Almost four!
United are now hitting Sunderland on the break, and Obi carries the attack forward really well, but his shot from the side of the penalty area is just wide. Gabriel will have wanted a cross.
[Link]3-2 Manchester United
Junior Brown puts United back in the lead! Brilliant finish into the roof of the net from a tight angle. Takes the goalkeeper by surprise by shooting early. United have been great since going behind, and now back in the league. 13 minutes to play.
[Link]2-2 Manchester United
Chido Obi scores the equaliser as he latches onto a lose pass along the backline before charging down on goal. He almost blew it, letting the defender back in. But managed to poke it beyond the goalkeeper. 2-2 with 20 minutes to play.
[Link]Big chance for Gabriel
United are playing so much better now, and Ajayi’s ball carrying almost saw Gabriel find an equaliser, but Gabriel’s shot is blocked.
[Link]United look to respond
United have woken up since losing the lead, and Jim Thwaites led a counterattack just now, but his shot was just fired over.
[Link]Sunderland take the lead
They’ve flipped this game on its head in the space of five minutes, and it’s another brilliant finish by Felix Scott. United just haven’t been at it since the break.
[Link]Sunderland equalise
Tom Proctor rifles a ball in off the bar from within the box, finished with tremendous power but United will feel he had too much space. It’s deserved.
[Link]United need to regain control
Sunderland have been the better side this half, primarily down to United’s doing.
[Link]Half-time
Not the greatest half of football, but United go in at the break, good value for their lead. Ajayi is so dangerous from that area on the pitch.
Hopefully, United can now kick on in the second-half and put this tie beyond doubt.
[Link]1-0 Manchester United
WHAT A GOAL. Noah Ajayi fires one into the bottom corner from range. Cut inside on his right, and a shot driven low was unstoppable for Cowan. 1-0. That’s one way to break down a stubborn defence.
Assist: Armer
[Link]Obi effort saved
United quicken their passing, and immediately there is fruit for their labour as the ball falls to Obi, but he snatches at it for an easy save by Joseph Cowan.
[Link]Game has settled into a pattern
With half-time approaching, the game has really settled down over the past couple of minutes with United getting sloppy in possession.
[Link]JJ Gabriel fires over
From well outside the box, his effort is over. But he can’t be blamed for trying it, considering we’ve seen him do that and score many times this season.
[Link]United’s front two are working really hard
When out of possession, both Gabriel and Obi are pressing so well. Particularly Obi, who is being guided by Darren Fletcher, bellowing ‘Go Chido, Go’ when he needs to press.
[Link]United starting to turn the screw!
United now camped in the Sunderland half and are getting into threatening areas more and more frequently. Feels like a goal is coming.
[Link]Chido Obi comes close
Biggest chance of the game so far! Chido Obi is put in behind by JJ Gabriel, and the Dane does everything right, but his finish was just wide.
[Link]Nice play from United
United are looking for long balls to Junior Brown here, and he just took one down nicely before giving it to JJ Gabriel, whose pass went through Chido Obi’s legs.
[Link]United now settling into possession
United starting to knock the ball around really nicely now.
[Link]High-profile names in attendance
There is a healthy showing of supporters at Old Trafford tonight, with Jason Wilcox, Stephen Torpey, and Wayne Rooney joining Michael Carrick and his coaching staff. Senne Lammens and Tom have also joined to take in tonight’s action.
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Confirmed Manchester United XI
Byrne-Hughes; Helafu, Mills, Armer, Kukonki; McCormack, Thwaites; Brown, Gabriel, Ajayi; Obi.
Subs: Heath, D.Nkoto, J.Watson, Shah, McEvoy, Bradbury, Rooney.
[Link]United’s last under-18s result
United beat Nottingham Forest 5-2 in the team’s previous under-18s fixture.
JJ Gabriel (2), Jay McEvoy, Louie Bradbury and Noah Ajayi scored the goals.
Check out all the results from every under-18s game this season below.
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Notable fixtures upcoming
After this game, United’s under-18s face Blackburn on Saturday March 21.
The next match after that is against Leeds on Saturday April 11.
[Link]JJ Gabriel’s FA Youth Cup record so far
All eyes will be on United wonderkid JJ Gabriel, who is the top scorer in the under-18s Premier League at just 15.
In addition to his 20 league goals, Gabriel has scored two goals in three FA Youth Cup games so far to help United get to the quarter-finals.
[Link]Four years since United’s last success
It is four years since United last won the FA Youth Cup in 2022. Check in on what the stars of that team are up to now…
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Kick-off 7pm
A reminder that kick-off is at 7pm. We will be ready to confirm team news when it is announced.
[Link]How to get involved…
United In Focus have a TalkingPoints feed for the FA Youth Cup.
You can create comments and reply to posts on there at any time.
[Link]Big night at Old Trafford awaits
United are looking to advance to the FA Youth Cup semi-finals for the second year in a row.
Last season United beat an Arsenal team featuring Max Dowman in the quarter-finals, winning at The Emirates.
United then lost to Aston Villa in the semi-finals.
If we can get through tonight, our opponents in the next round have already been set.
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Welcome to our FA Youth Cup LIVE blog
United In Focus writer Jonny Maze will be in attendance at Old Trafford for the game, and I’ll be handing over to him ahead of kick-off.
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