Manchester United’s under-21 side were in action last night in a friendly match against non-league side Kidderminster Harriers.
With several young players over in Northern Ireland for the Super Cup NI, United still had an impressive array of talent on show at a packed out Aggborough Stadium.
United’s XI: Mee, Wellens, Fredricson, Hardley, Pye; Galbraith, Collyer, Forson, Shoretire; Mejia, McNeill.
Subs: Wooster, Jurado, Hansen-Aaroen, Moorhouse, Mainoo.
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Mateo Mejia scores winner
Spanish striker Mateo Mejia scored Manchester United’s winner in the 67th minute, his first goal at under-21 level.
Mejia swept the ball into the net after a cross from Charlie McNeill, and almost had a second minutes later when his shot hit the crossbar.
Manchester United signed Mejia in 2019 from Real Zaragoza and he has had a torrid time with injuries.
He has not started a competitive academy game since 2020 and underwent an operation during his time out, and now he is hoping for an injury-free year to finally show what he is capable of.
The clean sheet will have been pleasing for United’s defenders, and for young midfielder Toby Collyer, a defensive midfielder signed from Brighton earlier this year.
Among the starters, Shola Shoretire and Ethan Galbraith could both head out on loan this summer. The latter spent last year at Doncaster Rovers.
Latest academy fixtures
United’s under-21s are next in action on Saturday July 30 in a friendly away at Altrincham.
The under-18s are in action again tonight (27/7) in a second Super Cup NI match against Northern Ireland under-18s after a 3-2 win in midweek.
The under-16s beat County Fermanagh 1-0 at the Super Cup NI last night. thanks to a goal from Adam Berry. This came after a 2-0 win over Surf Select days earlier with Ethan Wheatley netting twice.