Key points
- Manchester United 5-2 Preston View post
- Manchester United 4-2 Preston View post
- Manchester United 4-1 Preston View post
- 4-0 Manchester United View post
- 3-0 Manchester United View post
- 2-0 Manchester United View post
- 1-0 Manchester United View post
- Confirmed Manchester United XI and substitutes View post
Manchester United take on Preston North End in the FA Youth Cup.
No team has a history with the FA Youth Cup quite like Manchester United. Most recently winners in 2022, inspired by Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, United have exited the last two seasons at this stage.
A 2023 defeat in the fourth round to Stoke was followed by a 2024 loss at Swindon, a rare blemish on a near perfect season for the under-18s last time around.
United reached this stage after defeating Coventry City in the last round, with Gabriele Biancheri grabbing a hat-trick and Chido Obi scoring a brace. Biancheri is missing this game after undergoing surgery on an arm injury.
This is the first academy game for United’s players at under-21 or under-18s level due to the winter break and postponements last week.
Catch up with the 18s’ incredible 2024/25 to date, as academy football resumes against Preston at Leigh Sports Village, with the winners taking on Chelsea in the next round.
United progress to fifth round
With the 5-2 win, United have booked their place in the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup.
[Link]Manchester United 5-2 Preston
Ibragimov dinks the ball into the net from the penalty spot to secure United’s place in the next round of the FA Youth Cup.
[Link]Manchester United 4-2 Preston
Once again, Preston have scored to cut the deficit to two goals.
It’s a brace for Felipe Rodríguez-Gentile.
[Link]RIP Denis Law
United’s U18s are wearing black armbands for the second half to pay respect to Denis Law, who passed away this evening.
Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.
[Link]Manchester United 4-1 Preston
Preston take advantage of a Daniel Armer mistake at the back to pull one back.
[Link]Half-time
Manchester United lead 4-0 at the break. Adam Lawrence will be happy with his side who are well-deserving of their lead.
[Link]4-0 Manchester United
Surrounding by five Preston players, Chido Obi completes a brace to make it 4-0.
[Link]3-0 Manchester United
Chido Obi is in the right place at the right time to make it 3-0.
Superb skill from Jack Fletcher in the lead-up to the goal.
[Link]2-0 Manchester United
United double their lead through Reece Munro, who directed his header into the bottom corner.
Jack Fletcher assist.
[Link]1-0 Manchester United
Jack Fletcher scores from close range to open the scoring. He won’t score an easier goal than that.
Chido Obi assist.
[Link]Manchester United have a lot of respect for Preston
Speaking ahead of tonight’s fourth round tie against Preston, U18s manager Adam Lawrence said: “We need to keep everything in perspective and not over-hype individual competitions or games.
“But the Youth Cup obviously means a lot to the players. They’re well aware of the history and the players that have played for the club in the competition before, and those that have won it.
“We’re Manchester United… in every single competition that we play in, we want to win. It’s a special tournament and hopefully we can progress this year, but it’s not easy.
“We have a lot of respect for Preston. It’s a good tie to look forward to.”
[Link]Another chance for Reds to see Obi
Following an eagerly awaited transfer in the summer, it’s another chance for United fans to see Chido Obi in action. The 17-year-old will be looking to add to his account in the FA Youth Cup tonight.
Alejandro Garnacho scored seven goals in six FA Youth Cup matches when United last won the competition in 2022.
[Link]How United reached the fourth round
United entered the competition at the third round stage, defeating Coventry City 5-0. Gabriele Biancheri bagged a hat-trick and Chido Obi scored twice.
There were assists for James Scanlon, Jacob Devaney, Godwill Kukonki, and Biancheri.
Let’s hope for another result like that.
[Link]Key match details
Manchester United vs Preston in the FA Youth Cup is an under-18s fixture, and kicks off at 7pm, taking place at Leigh Sports Village. United may use Old Trafford as a home ground as the competition progresses.
The game is being shown on MUTV with coverage beginning at 6.45pm for subscribers.
[Link]Confirmed Manchester United XI and substitutes
Manchester United’s line-up has been announced…
XI: Murdock, Kamason, Munro (c), Armer, Amass, Tyler Fletcher, Jack Fletcher, Fitzgerald, Scanlon, Musa, Obi
Bench: Byrne-Hughes, Mills, Plunkett, Bailey, Thwaites, Ibragimov, Bradbury
Gabriele Biancheri’s injury sees Victor Musa come into the starting line-up, while promising striker Louie Bradbury steps up among the substitutes.
[Link]Welcome to the United In Focus live coverage for the FA Youth Cup fourth round vs Preston
Team news will be confirmed imminently!
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