Manchester United’s academy stars and loan players have had a busy weekend. Here is a round-up of what has been going on around the leagues…
Manchester United under-18s beaten 4-0
Manchester United’s under-18s suffered their worst result of 2023 with a 4-0 defeat away to Warren Joyce’s Nottingham Forest.
A very young United side featuring 14-year-old Amir Ibragimov just did not get going. It has been all change in the under-18s this season, with Louis Jackson the only player in the squad at the weekend who featured in the FA Youth Cup last season.
United had been in good form prior to this and still sit third in the table, and face 11th placed Derby County this coming Saturday at 12pm.
James Bailey and Bendito Mantato make under-18s debuts
Two young players made their debut for the under-18s as late substitutes. These included James Bailey, a signing from Burnley two years ago, and Bendito Mantato, both just 15.
Mantato made his England under-15s debut last week along with Ibragimov.
Kobbie Mainoo features for under-21s after Premier League debut
Manchester United’s under-21 side had a Monday 1pm game away at Crystal Palace. It ended 0-0.
Kobbie Mainoo started the game, less than 24 hours after featuring for the Premier League on his Premier League debut against Leicester.
It was a reminder for Mainoo that he still has work to do, and a useful chance for him to sharpen up. Zidane Iqbal and Brandon Williams also started.
Will Fish scores on loan for Hibernian
Will Fish has worked his way into the Hibernian side in recent weeks and has begun to impress now he is getting starts in his preferred centre-back role, rather than at full-back.
He scored his second goal in nine games at the weekend, powering in a header to open the scoring in a 2-0 win over Kilmarnock. He was rated by FotMob as the man of the match for the fixture.
Amad and Hannibal star in Championship action
Amad and Hannibal continued their impressive seasons in the Championship. Amad’s Sunderland drew 1-1 with Bristol City after conceding an injury time equaliser. He featured in attacking midfield, creating two chances and completing 88 per cent of his passes.
Hannibal played 81 minutes as Birmingham slipped to a 2-1 loss at Huddersfield. He won more tackles (5) than any player on the pitch.
Both players are gaining valuable experience and will return to pre-season in July stronger for their experiences.
Difficult weekend for Shola Shoretire
Shola Shoretire has done really well early on at Bolton. But he found it tough going in their 1-0 loss at Wycombe.
He was fouled more times than any player on the pitch (4 times) and was substituted after 57 minutes. There will be better games for him ahead.
Maxi Oyedele on target
Maxi Oyedele scored his first professional goal in just his second appearance for Altrincham in the National League.
The 18-year-old joined on loan in January and scored the goal to give them the lead to go onto seal a 3-1 win over Woking.
Matej Kovar keeps clean sheet
Goalkeeper Matej Kovar is continuing to impress in his homeland for Sparta Prague. He kept a clean sheet at the weekend as they beat Jablonec 3-0.
Sparta have won four of their last five games and sit just five points off the top in the Czech Republic’s top flight.
Charlie McNeill a substitute
Charlie McNeill is still looking for his first goal out on loan at Newport County in League Two.
The 19-year-old has made four appearances to date, the two most recently have been from the bench. He played the last nine minutes at the weekend in a 1-1 draw at Walsall.
Ondrej Mastny’s first win
Goalkeeper Ondrej Mastny signed for struggling Northern Irish side Portadown late in January. He has made four appearances already.
The fourth came at the weekend and saw him pick up his first win as a professional, with Portadown beating Glenavon 3-1.
The 20-year-old also has a clean sheet to his name from a 0-0 draw against Ballymena earlier in the month.