Manchester United are through to the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup after a victory over Derby County.
Manchester United’s under-18s side are in great form this season, winning 10 out of 10 matches in the league.
One game the team did lose was a Premier League Cup match, emphasising the potential danger ahead in the FA Youth Cup, that the team could not afford to be complacent.
The youngsters played well, up against a determined Derby County, who sought to make the most of playing at Old Trafford.
Manchester United won the game, thanks to a single goal from second half substitute Ethan Williams, continuing a successful season.
Defensive duo shine
The under-18s’ strong results have been helped by an excellent defensive record, conceding only six goals in the 10 league matches.
United’s partnership on the night consisted of Louis Jackson and Jack Kingdon, two regulars in the team this season.
Jackson is already a Youth Cup winner, starting the final in 2022 at just 16 after Tyler Fredricson fell ill on the day of the game.
Kingdon has since stepped up as a regular for the under-18s, and together they were excellent against Derby, mopping up each and every time the Rams tried to break on the counter.
The Scotland youth international defender wrote on Instagram after the win: “Boys were class tonight. Next round soon.”
United will face Swindon Town away from home in January at a late yet to be scheduled.
Players praise Kingdon
Kingdon is a player clearly respected highly by his teammates, who left responses to his Instagram post telling him how impressed they were by his display.
Among them was highly rated winger Shea Lacey, who did not feature in the game due to an injury which has kept him out the past few weeks.
Lacey wrote, “Some performance,” while teammate Harry Amass, a starter, hailed him as ‘unreal’.
The under-18s calendar year has now come to an end, with the next league fixture taking place in January.
Ending a successful year on a high was important, and gives this talented young academy squad plenty to look forward to in 2024.
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