Manchester United’s under-18s side showed real spirit to fight back to claim a draw in a thrilling game against Liverpool.
United had made numerous changes to the XI which started the FA Youth Cup final, with Alejandro Garnacho and Charlie McNeill among those rested.
Liverpool took the lead and had the better of the first half, going 2-0 up , before United pulled a goal back in first half injury time.
After good work from full-back Logan Pye, winger Ethan Ennis scored against his former club to make it 2-1 at the break.
In the second half Liverpool came out the better side and by the 63rd minute had gone 4-1 up, and the result looked to be heading one way. United had other ideas.
Defender Willy Kambwala scored his first ever goal for United since his move from Sochaux in October 2020.
Kambwala’s goal made in 4-2 and sparked the beginning of a comeback, with striker Joe Hugill making it 4-3 just a minute later.
Liverpool then extended their lead to 5-3 with 15 minutes to go, but United were not done.
Ethan Ennis grabbed his second goal of the game against his former club to set up a grandstand finish.
Joe Hugill struck a dramatic equaliser in the 90th minute and United even had a chance to snatch a winner in injury time.
This result was a real show of character from the young team, and an impressive day for Hugill who has seven goals this season now despite missing three months with injury.
Starting XI: Hanbury; Ogunneye, Kambwala, Bennett, Pye; Mainoo, Oyedele, Ennis, Hugill, Forson
Subs: Wooster, Murray, Frederico, Gore, Mather
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