Key points
Manchester United’s U21 side earned a place in the Premier League 2 final on Friday night, with a victory in the mini-Manchester derby on Friday night.
After all the drama of the FA Youth Cup scheduling this week, Manchester United’s U21s visited the Joie Stadium on Friday night in a U21 version of the final next Thursday.
United had a nightmare start with Manchester City taking an early lead.
But after weathering a storm, United hit City for three in the first half with Chido Obi scoring twice and Shea Lacey adding his own from the penalty spot.
One minute into the second half, Jack Moorhouse made it 4-1, and we thought that was game over. But City had other ideas as they pulled two back to make a real game of it.
The full-time score was 4-3, and you can re-live it all below, as and when it happened during the game.
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- Manchester City 3-4 (Obi x2, Lacey, Moorhouse) Manchester United
Full-time
Manchester United win a blockbuster seven-goal thriller to progress to the final of the Premier League 2. What a game and what a performance from the U21s.
Will now face Brighton in the final.
[Link]Lacey again!
Lacey is treating the City defence like they’re not even there and forces another great save.
[Link]Lacey terrorising City
Lacey has been bullying the City left-back and he almost creates Obi’s third, before on the next attack sees his effort destined for the far corner saved by a diving keeper.
[Link]4-1 Manchester United
Less than a minute into the second-half, United make it four through Jack Moorhouse. Victor Musa gives him the ball, and Moorhouse drives through the defence and finishes well. Game over for City.
[Link]Half-time
What an opening 45 minutes that was. United overturn a 1-0 deficit to lead 3-1 at the break.
[Link]3-1 Manchester United
Shea Lacey sends the goalkeeper the wrong way, United in a very strong position with three minutes until half-time.
[Link]2-1 Manchester United
United have turned it around in the space of five minutes. Excellent from Shea Lacey to beat his defender and pick out Chido Obi in the box to head home for his second of the game in almost an identical finish to his first! 2-1 United.
[Link]1-1 Manchester United
Back on level terms! Chido Obi heads home after a nice move from United. Jaydan Kamason crosses it in, but it’s Victor Musa who heads it back across goal to Obi, who has almost an empty net to aim for. 1-1.
[Link]City miss again
This game could be out of sight with big-money Norwegian Sverre Nypan shooting wide from a one-on-one situation. United are clearly missing a midfield physical presence.
[Link]United beat City earlier this season
In the meeting between the two sides, United came out 2-1 winners thanks to Obi and Ibragimov.
[Link]Who would United face in the final?
Without getting ahead of ourselves, if United can overcome City, it would be either Tottenham or Brighton in the final, with the Red Devils favourites against both.
[Link]Manchester United starting XI
Murdock; Kamason, Aljofree, Armer, Leon; Thwaites, Moorhouse; Lacey, J. Fletcher, Musa; Obi.
Subs: Byrne-Hughes, Helafu, McCormack, Scanlon, Biancheri
[Link]Vote for your academy player of the year
With the academy season drawing to an end. You can vote for your academy player of the year on TalkingPoints.
[Link]How Man Utd reached the semi-finals
The Premier League 2 play-offs are a pretty faced past competition to crown the league title winners, and United’s quarter-final was played on Monday.
United beat Crystal Palace 2-0 in South London to secure their place here against City.
[Link]
How to watch Man City U21 vs Man Utd
Despite the tiny venue, meaning attending in person is unlikely, the game will be streamed on MUTV and YouTube for official members.
[Link]What time is kick-off?
This mini-Manchester derby kicks off at 7 pm BST on Friday, May 8th, 2026 at the Joie Stadium.
[Link]Manchester City U21 vs Manchester United
Welcome to our live coverage of the Premier League 2 semi-final
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