Key points
Manchester United’s U21 side were back in title-chasing action on Friday afternoon, taking on Southampton at Carrington with a win moving the Red Devils joint top with Chelsea.
It was a must-win game for Manchester United, and Adam Lawrence’s side delivered just that on a pretty miserable day at Carrington.
United took the lead in the second half with Victor Musa finishing off Jack Fletcher’s cross from a free-kick.
Moments later, it was 2-0 as the same combination finished off a brilliant bit of play from Jayce Fitzgerald.
Winning puts United joint top with goal difference, all that has kept the Red Devils from leading the league.
Here are all the updates as they happened.
- Manchester United (Musa x2) 2-1 Southampton
Full time
Far from extraordinary, but a vital win for Manchester United, which moves them back to the top of the league table.
[Link]Fitzgerald close
Sloppy passing at the back from Southampton, which Fitzgerald seizes but his shot is dragged wide.
[Link]2-0 Manchester United
Jayce Fitzgerald does brilliantly to win the tackle, hold two defenders off, and then poke it through to Jack Fletcher, who puts the ball across the six-yard box to Victor Musa to make it 2-0.
[Link]United struggling from lack of width
With a grand total of zero wingers in the squad today, United are lacking a bit of dynamism.
[Link]Nice play by United
United is starting to control the game with Diego Leon doing well to send Jayce Fitzgerald through, but his cut back is blocked.
[Link]First chance for United
It’s been a quiet opening 13 minutes, lacking quality on both sides. But Tyler Fletcher has just played a wonderful ball over the top to Jack Fletcher, who mis-hits his shot.
[Link]Confirmed Manchester United XI
Murdock; Ogunneye, Fredricson, Kukonki, Leon; T Fletcher, Thwaites, J Fletcher; Fitzgerald, Musa, Moorhouse
Subs: Honor, Overy, Jackson, McAllister, Bradbury
[Link]How to watch
The game will be live on MUTV from 12.55 pm ahead of kick-off for paid subscribers. But we will have live coverage right here.
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