Key points
Manchester United’s under-21 have beaten Blackburn Rovers 3-1 at Ewood Park.
Goals from Ethan Ennis, Sam Mather, and substitute Gabriele Biancheri saw United run out as deserved winners.
United could have had a healthy lead by half-time, but only had one goal to show for their dominance, Ethan Ennis’ first half header.
Blackburn then equalised in the second half, prompting United to step up their game. Sam Mather scored an impressive goal, with substitute Gabriel Biancheri netting with his first touch.
Jack Fletcher provided both second half assists, with Malachi Sharpe creating the first goal.
Travis Binnion’s under-21s have now won three games in a row, bouncing back from, defeat to Arsenal in the opening game with Ethan Ennis and Ethan Wheatley on the scoresheet.
They bounced back with a 4-1 win over Stoke, with Malachi Sharpe (2), Jack Fletcher and Sam Mather among the scorers.
In between United’s under-21s beat Barnsley 3-2 in the EFL Trophy, with Fletcher (2) and Ennis on target.
Full-time: 3-1 to Manchester United
Goals: Ethan Ennis, Sam Mather, Gabriele Biancheri
Assists: Malachi Sharpe, Jack Fletcher (2)
A good win from a superior Manchester United team, missing some key players.
[Link]Substitution
Jayden Kamason and Louis Jackson are on, replacing Jack Kingdon and Habeeb Ogunneye in defence.
[Link]Biancheri scores with first touch
Manchester United are 3-1 up after another impressive move.
Ethan Ennis began the move, with another Jack Fletcher assist, playing it on for substitute Gabriele Biancheri to net with his very first touch.
He was on the pitch for about 20 seconds.
[Link]2-1 to Manchester United
Sam Mather scores with a thunderous strike from the left hand side of the box.
A free flowing move starts with great work from Habeeb Ogunneye, bringing the ball forward, before passing inside to Jack Fletcher.
Fletcher assists Mather, with a powerful shot which beats the goalkeeper at the near post.
[Link]Great chance
Malachi Sharpe breaks through but his shot across goal skews narrowly wide. Great pass from substitute Devaney.
[Link]United pushing to re-take the lead
Malachi Sharpe comes close to scoring. His effort is denied by the goalkeeper.
[Link]Half-time
Manchester United lead 1-0 with Ethan Ennis’ goal giving the side an early advantage.
[Link]United on top and pushing for a second
Blackburn’s goalkeeper is doing his best to keep the score down, but it feels like a matter of time before United grab another.
Malachi Sharpe almost does it, his shot rebounds off the post.
[Link]1-0 to Manchester United
Ethan Ennis scores again.
A perfectly delivered cross is floated in by Malachi Sharpe, and Ennis beats the defender to head into the net.
Both players have started the season well, and after just 11 minutes, Manchester United take the lead.
[Link]United controlling possession early on
United’s young players have made a positive start with Sam Mather looking particularly lively.
[Link]Kick-off approaching
Keep an eye on Gabriele Biancheri getting a game off the bench. He has scored three goals in two games for the under-18s this season.
[Link]Blackburn winless after two games
Opponents Blackburn have lost both of their opening under-21 games to start the season.
The first was a 3-1 loss away at Everton. Then last week they were defeated 7-2 at home to Crystal Palace. Ouch.
[Link]Possible new signing
If the name Hubert Gracyzk on Manchester United’s bench looks like a new face, it’s because he is. The young goalkeeper was a free agent after being released by Arsenal.
Gracyzk was linked to United earlier in the summer, and with Elyh Harrison sent out on loan, it appears he has been brought in as cover.
[Link]
Manchester United XI
Manchester United’s starting line-up has been announced…
Starting XI: Mee, Ogunneye, Kingdon, Fredricson, Rowe, McAllister, Sharpe, Curley, Ennis, Jack Fletcher, Mather
Substitutes: Devaney, Graczyk, Jackson, Kamason, Biancheri
Kick off at 7pm
Welcome to our live blog…
Manchester United’s under-21s are scheduled to kick-off against Blackburn at 7pm.
Team news should be with us shortly, with United tasked with finding a squad of youth players who are not set to leave the club on loan.
Elyh Harrison and Sonny Aljofree have left the club today to seal season long moves.
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