Key points
Manchester United’s under-21 have come out on top against Doncaster in the EFL Trophy.
Manchester United’s under-21 side have enjoyed another strong night in the EFL Trophy, following last month’s dramatic comeback win over Barnsley.
This time around United went 1-0 up against Doncaster, with Sam Mather opening the scoring. But then the game seemed to get away from United, with the home side going 3-1 up.
Ethan Ennis then pulled a goal back before United equalised in the seventh minute of stoppage time through Louis Jackson, to secure a 3-3 draw.
Goalkeeper Dermot Mee was one of the stories of the game. He made an error for Doncaster’s third, passing the ball straight to George Broadbent, who then chipped him.
Mee made amends firstly by going forward for the stoppage time corner, and touching the ball on to Jackson to score his equaliser, ending up with an assist.
Then in the shootout to decide who gained an extra point, Mee saved from Broadbent, while United were perfect from the spot.
The night was also notable for Dan Gore making his comeback from injury after eight months on the sidelines.
Here is a look at how it all happened…
Goals and scorers
Goals: Mather, Ennis, Jackson
Assists: Ennis, Jackson, Mee
Shootout scorers: Mather, Wheatley, J. Fletcher, Amass, Biancheri
[Link]Manchester United win
Gabriele Biancheri scores the winning penalty as United win 5-3. Dermot Mee made a vital save,
United now top the group with five points from a possible six. That will go down as a successful night, and another exciting comeback.
The third and final match of the group stage will see United go up against Huddersfield Town.
[Link]Penalty updates…
Sam Mather (United): GOAL
Joe Ironside (Doncaster): GOAL
Ethan Wheatley (United): GOAL
Luke Molyneux (Doncaster): GOAL
Jack Fletcher (United): GOAL
George Broadbent (Doncaster): SAVE
Harry Amass (United): GOAL
Jordan Gibson (Doncaster): GOAL
Gabriele Biancheri (United): GOAL
[Link]Full-time 3-3, going to penalties
We are now heading to a penalty shootout.
Both teams will get a point each. The winner of the shootout will gain an additional point.
[Link]Goal! 3-3
Louis Jackson scores from a second corner to draw the game after chaos in the box.
Goalkeeper Dermot Mee came forward and he connected with the corner, but mis-kicked it.
The ball fell to Jackson who scored. The goal could go down as a Mee assist, as he was the last player to touch it.
[Link]Double change
Gabriele Biancheri and Ashton Missin are coming off the bench, with United pushing for an equaliser.
[Link]Wheatley booked
Ethan Wheatley is booked for kicking the advertising boards, after the ball drifts out of play. Its been a frustrating night for him.
[Link]GOAL! United score
Manchester United score through Ethan Ennis.
Sam Mather returns the favour with an assist after Ethan Wheatley won the ball back on the edge of the Doncaster box.
Doncaster lead 3-2 with just under 20 minutes remaining.
[Link]Doncaster make it 3-1
A defensive mix-up sees Mee pass the ball straight to Doncaster – and the ball ends up in the back of the net.
[Link]United still battling
Great defensive work from Jacob Devaney to win the ball back inside the box after losing it in midfield.
United are trying to find opportunities to get Ethan Wheatley through on goal but Doncaster are defending well.
[Link]2-1 to Doncaster
The second half bursts into life after Billy Sharp’s rocket of a strike cannons back off the post, with Ephraim Yeboah scoring the rebound.
[Link]Ethan Ennis a real threat
Another cross from Ethan Ennis is cut out, and he continues to pose a real danger whenever he gets the ball. The game is pretty even right now.
[Link]GOAL 1-1
Doncaster equalise after a shot from the edge of the box takes a big deflection and drifts into the net.
[Link]Gore impressing so far
Manchester United are holding their own and deserve the 1-0 lead. Dan Gore in midfield is looking good on his return.
He just produced an excellent sliding tackle inside his own half to cut out a Doncaster attack.
[Link]GOAL! Man Utd lead 1-0
Sam Mather scores with a superb shot from the edge of the box after great work from Ethan Ennis.
Ennis’ driving run finds Mather inside the box, who takes a touch, and places his shot across the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner.
[Link]Dan Gore gets ‘welcomed back’
Dan Gore’s surge forward gets stopped in it’s tracks, with Doncaster’s Kasper Williams shown a yellow card for a cynical tackle.
The midfielder is able to continue, thankfully, with no harm done.
[Link]Jack Fletcher down injured
The United physio is out after Fletcher was injured after being shoved to the turf. He is able to carry on.
[Link]Sky Sports stream has now begun
For viewers in the UK, the match is now accessible on Sky Sports +
[Link]Watch out for Biancheri on the bench
Gabriele Biancheri has scored nine goals this season already, eight for the under-18s and one for the 21s.
He is making a real name for himself and if United need a goal in the second half, expect to see him added into the mix.
[Link]Under-21s season so far
Manchester United’s under-21s have had a mixed record this season.
Three wins and two defeats. Check in on all of the results, and goalscorers below…
[Link]
Dan Gore returns
The major news is the return of Dan Gore. The promising midfielder is making his first appearance at any level since February.
Gore made his Manchester United debut a year ago – but then sustained an injury on his debut on loan at Port Vale, which required surgery.
He missed pre-season but is now back in action and is set to start tonight.
[Link]Manchester United XI confirmed
XI: Mee, Ogunneye, Kingdon, Rowe, Amass, Devaney, Gore (c), J. Fletcher, Ennis, Wheatley, Mather
Substitutes: Graczyk, Jackson, Biancheri, McAllister, Curley, Sharpe, Missin
[Link]Olowu starts for Doncaster
Doncaster Rovers’ starting XI includes experienced striker Billy Sharp and young defender Joseph Olowu.
Olowu had a trial with Manchester United in 2021 after he was released by Arsenal, before signing with Doncaster.
Reunion for Tommy Rowe
Manchester United brought in a new over-age player coach last month, with Tommy Rowe replacing Tom Huddlestone.
Rowe spent the past three seasons playing for Doncaster Rovers and there is a chance he plays in some capacity tonight.
[Link]Amass and Wheatley could feature
Youngsters Harry Amass and Ethan Wheatley played for the under-21s at the weekend.
Neither were present at Carrington for United’s preparations for the Europa League fixture, suggesting they could be involved tonight.
Toby Collyer, who captained the team, remained with the first team squad.
[Link]How United beat Barnsley
Manchester United’s under-21 side came from 2-0 down at half-time to beat Barnsley 3-2 in the previous game in the competition.
Substitute Jack Fletcher came off the bench to score two goals, while Ethan Ennis netted one.
James Nolan, who provided two assists, has since been sent out on loan. Harry Amass created the other goal.
You can look back on the live coverage from that dramatic victory…
[Link]
Match details
Manchester United’s under-21s are away at Doncaster Rovers
Kick-off time: 7pm
How to watch: The game is being broadcast on Sky Sports + in the UK
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