Manchester United and Newcastle clashed in U21 Premier League 2 action on Friday night.
It was a nightmare start for Adam Lawrence’s side, going 2-0 down inside six minutes, before Newcastle went on to dominate most of the first half.
Manchester United were then dominant after the break, with Jim Thwaites and Victor Musa combining for a goal to spark a comeback.
But despite possession, United failed to make good on the pressure and dominance as Newcastle held on to then grab a third at the very end of the game.
You can follow along below as it happened for all the latest updates before, during, and after the match. Join the conversation around the match on TalkingPoints.
- Manchester United (Musa) 1-3 Newcastle
Full-time
United unable to get the reward their performance deserved. Ultimately, conceding twice in the opening six minutes proved a mountain too steep to climb.
[Link]Newcastle 3-1
Newcastle, against the run of play, get a third after a mix-up by Murdock and McCormack. Tap in for the Newcastle striker and that’s the win out of reach for United.
[Link]United should have had a penalty
Ajayi is fouled when through on goal after beating two defenders. 17-year-old is tripped, and that’s the first error of the night for the referee.
[Link]Fulham leading Chelsea
Chelsea are also having a bad night, losing 2-1 to Fulham, which means a point for United moves the Red Devils top.
[Link]Thwaites causing all the danger right now
Another chance created by Thwaites, but his clever ball is just overhit.
[Link]Pause in play
The referee has stopped the game, with the issue being a Chinese lantern flying overhead.
[Link]Thwaites comes close
Thwaites comes close from a free-kick as his effort just narrowly goes by the post.
[Link]2-1 Manchester United
A strong start to the second half pays off as United get one back through a Victor Musa back-post header from a Jim Thwaites cross.
Assist: Thwaites
[Link]United are struggling to take hold
25 minutes in, and United are still off the pace. Adam Lawrence needs to make some changes.
[Link]United shellshocked
11 minutes in and United look shellshocked after Newcastle’s quick start. Need to get their heads down and focus on getting back into this. The next goal is vital.
[Link]Newcastle 1-0
Early goal for Newcastle, well played from the 23rd placed side in the league. Nightmare start for United.
[Link]Noah Ajayi back with U21s
After a solid performance for the U21s against Madrid, Ajayi is back in the squad today. He will probably come from the bench, which suggests he will also be on U18 duty on Saturday morning. But it’s a sign of how highly the club rates him.
[Link]How do the Premier League 2 play-offs work?
Tonight sees the regular season draw to a close before United will then face a play-off to see who wins the league title.
The top 16 go into a round of 16 bracket, then quarter-finals, then semi-final and then into a final.
By finishing second or first, United are guaranteed to get a home draw in the next round against a favourable opponent, given they will be seeded highly.
[Link]No Shea Lacey
Disappointingly, yet no surprise, Shea Lacey isn’t with the U21s today as he is likely back with the senior side ahead of the Leeds clash on Monday.
[Link]
Confirmed Manchester United XI
Murdock; Jackson, Aljofree, Armer, Kukonki; McCormack, McAllister, J. Fletcher; Musa, Obi, Moorhouse.
Subs: Byrne-Hughes, Overy, Thwaites, Lusale, Ajayi.
[Link]Last time out…
Last time out for the U21s, it was Old Trafford against Real Madrid in a 4-2 defeat, which was disappointing considering the Red Devils held a 2-0 lead.
[Link]
Manchester United could win Premier League 2
Manchester United go into this game joint top of Premier League 2 with Chelsea, leading on goal difference. So anything less than a win for Chelsea gives United the chance to top the table ahead of the play-offs to decide the champion.
[Link]How to watch
United U21 vs Newcastle U21 in Premier League 2 action will be live on MUTV from 6.55pm GMT.
[Link]What time is kick-off?
Manchester United’s U21 side take on Newcastle, with the game set to kick off at 7 pm GMT.
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