Manchester United U18s were in action on Saturday against Middlesbrough.
The young Red Devils cruised to victory against Boro, making it 17 games in the league unbeaten. A remarkable feat.
The under-18s have a squad full of sheer class. They really do have some names that could be first-team squad members in the future.
They showed once again on Saturday how good they were – and even did something that you definitely don’t see every day at a football match.
Manchester United U18s 3 – 0 Middlesbrough U18s
The academy side sealed another victory, thanks to goals from James Scanlon, Ashton Missin and Ethan Wheatley.
It only took 12 minutes to get the first. After some good work between Wheatley and James Nolan, the ball deflected kindly into the path of Scanlon, who converted first time to put United in the ascendency.
It then took just eight minutes longer for Missin to get on the scoresheet. He danced his way through the defence and expertly finished, begging the defender in the process.
A third then came on the hour mark, with Wheatley slotting home at the far post after some good work from Finley McAllister.
But the goals weren’t the only thing of interest in this game.
Why Cameron Byrne-Hughes came on as an outfield player vs Middlesbrough
Cameron Byrne-Hughes, usually a keeper, got some minutes as an outfield player against Middlesbrough. He came on in the 86th minute, replacing the winger Missin – but there was a reason.
After Injuries to Jack Kingdon and Missin in the second half, United were in a bit of a pickle. The Red Devils had already brought all four of their outfield players off the bench, which meant Byrne-Hughes was introduced to the action in an unorthodox outfield role for the final few minutes.
This was definitely a means to an end, don’t be expecting to see him lining up in the centre of the park anytime soon.
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