As Manchester United thumped FK Zalgiris 5-2 in the UEFA Youth League, the future could hardly have looked brighter for the Red Devils.
Particularly with regards to the number nine spot.
While much has been made of the devastating promise shown by Ethan Wheatley and former Arsenal wonderkid Chido Obi-Martin, Gabriele Biancheri’s remarkable returns has the Wales Under 19 international staking his own claim to be viewed as the finest young centre-forward in Manchester United’s ranks.
Biancheri took his tally to 14 as Adam Lawrence’s Man United side ran riot in Lithuania. And his first of the evening – a fine header guided home following a pinpoint cross from right-back Jaydan Kamason – was enough on it’s own to highlight the gulf in quality between the Red Devils’ immensely-talented U19 set-up and Zalgiris’ own crop of kids.
Gabriele Biancheri hailed after Manchester United’s Youth League triumph
“The beginning was difficult. We are not used to such speeds,” Zalgiris youth boss Dainius Greviskis says.
“All are technical, fast, play with the ball. They just pressed us. It was not easy, but we defended for half an hour.
“That one goal [Biancheri] scored in the first-half… just top class.”
Man United needed 51 minutes to double their tally. Ethan Williams’ deflected finish sparked a flurry of second-half strikes. Biancheri hit the net again from the tightest of angles before Williams swerved home a stunner.
Greviskis was, at least, pleased to see his time grab not one but two late consolations, either side of a James Scanlon volley.
“We started the second-half too passively,” sighs Greviskis. We let them think with the ball. We conceded two quick goals. They loosened up a bit and gave us more space.
“It is difficult for our players to reorient themselves because, in Lithuania, we are used to playing as number one, pressuring the opponents, and here we had to defend.
“You have to be realistic. We understood that Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the world, had arrived.
“We managed to score not one, but two goals! You saw what happened in the stadium. Euphoria. It really doesn’t happen every day.”
United coach Adam Lawrence delighted by FK Zalgiris thrashing
After securing a domestic treble in 2023/24, arguably Manchester United’s most exciting collection of teenage talents in a generation have flown out of the blocks at the start of the new campaign too.
With Biancheri scoring in every single one of their league games so far, the Red Devils can boast a 100 per cent record both in the UEFA Youth League and the U18 Premier League.
What’s more, in their seven games in either competition, Lawrence’s team have hit the net a remarkable 31 times.
“I think, with the attacking side of the play, there was a really nice balance between being patient, working our way in, and then some exciting moments when there was a bit more space,” Lawrence reflected post-match.
“I thought the lads were really good. To score five goals, five different types of goals, there was a lot of individual quality. We’ve got some really exciting individuals at the top end of the pitch.
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