Fresh off the disappointment of losing the U18 Premier League Cup final, Manchester United are back in action in the league against Sunderland.
Manchester United’s U18 side will have been reeling from a penalty shootout defeat against Crystal Palace in the cup final at Selhurst Park.
However, it was further pain for Darren Fletcher’s side in the league on Saturday with a 2-1 loss against Sunderland seeing Manchester City extend their lead in the title race to six points.
Louie Bradbury scored United’s goal, while Noah Ajayi saw his 92nd-minute penalty saved.
Follow along below for all the latest before, during, and after the game.
- Sunderland 2-1 (Bradbury) Manchester United
Sunderland coming very close
Sunderland look the more likely side right now, hitting the woodwork twice in a matter of moments.
[Link]Sunderland the better side
Early in the second-half, Sunderland are the side in the ascendancy.
[Link]Half-time
United head in at the break as Bradbury almost scores from the half-way line with the dinal kick of the half.
[Link]Games slowed down
Since the fast start, there has been very little at either end of the pitch. United missing Thwaites and Gabriel.
[Link]Sunderland 2-1
Penalty converted. Heath fails to save his 7th penalty this week, struggle to see why he replaced Byrne-Hughes in the shootout.
[Link]1-1 Manchester United
United strike back through a corner as Jay McEvoy’s ball is headed home by Louie Bradbury.
[Link]1-0 Sunderland
United give it away in their own third with Heath caught napping on the ball and Sunderland score.
Nightmare start for Heath who thought he had more space.
[Link]Good to see Ajayi is okay
Ajayi was taken off through injury against Palace, but he starts today and looks completely fine.
[Link]Heavy rotation for United
As expected with the heavy workload in the past week, United have rotated heavily including a first or rare opportunity for several.
This includes Heath, Emsden-James, Camacho.
Also on the bench rather interestingly is Gazik Ibragimov, younger brother of Amir.
[Link]Manchester United XI
XI: Heath, Overy (C), Emsden-James, McCormack, Plunkett, McEvoy, Shah, Douka Nkoto, Camacho, Ajayi, Bradbury
Subs: Z. Watson, O’Brien, Helafu, G. Ibragimov, Brown
[Link]Manchester United will need to find form
It’s crunch time for Manchester United, with four games plus an FA Youth Cup final remaining to play.
If United want to win the two – potentially three – trophies currently up for grabs, they need to win every game until the end of the season.
[Link]What is the situation in the U18 Premier League?
With 12 points left to play for in the U18 Premier League North, it remains a two way battle for the trophy.
United sit on 50 points, three behind City who are on 53.
This likely means United will need to win every game until the end of the season, while hoping City lose.
Goal difference also swings in City’s favour by 13 goals, which means a classic big victory for United today would be welcomed.
[Link]United looking to bounce back
After the pain of losing Wednesday night’s Premier League Cup final on penalties to Crystal Palace, United will be chomping at the bit to get going here.
[Link]
How to watch
The game is being played up at the Academy of Light in Sunderland. But United fans can watch live on MUTV. Alternatively, we will have all the latest as it happens.
[Link]United in Focus’ live coverage of U18s
Manchester United take on Sunderland in the U18 Premier League today, and we will be bringing you all the latest updates.
[Link]Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
