Manchester United are into the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup after beating Everton at Old Trafford.
Charlie McNeill, Kobbie Mainoo, Sam Mather and Alejandro Garnacho were on the scoresheet in a 4-1 victory.
Garnacho’s goal was his 11th strike of the season in all competitions, nine for the under-18s and two for the under-23s.
United’s under-18s had beaten Everton 4-2 away just last month and were strongly tipped to come out on top in this game. The youngsters did not disappoint.
However it was Everton who took an early lead after springing a counter attack, going 1-0 up against the run of play. Their advantage did not last long.
Charlie McNeill was fouled inside the penalty box and the referee pointed to the spot. McNeill stepped up calmly, and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to pass the ball into the back of the net at the Stretford End.
United added a second moments later. Marc Jurado’s cross from the right seemed to hang in the air for ages, before midfielder Kobbie Mainoo rose highest to nod the ball down to nestle in the bottom corner.
The goal was Mainoo’s second in the Youth Cup this season, with the 16-year-old scoring in the previous round against Reading.
In United’s attack, winger Sam Mather was excellent. He was constantly asking questions of the Everton defence, running with the ball and changing direction.
Mather made it 3-1 after latching onto a rebound after Omari Forson’s shot was blocked. Mather calmly curled the ball around three Everton defenders and the goalkeeper into the net.
The strike was Mather’s eighth of the season in all competitions, while McNeill has 10 including under-23 goals. Mainoo has four.
Alejandro Garnacho nearly added a fourth after a dazzling individual run, before bending the ball around the goalkeeper, only for his shot to come back off the post.
McNeill also could have extended United’s lead, missing a one-on-one after going clean through on goal in the final stages, forcing a smart save from the Everton goalkeeper.
Garnacho got in on the act in the 90th minute, scoring a sensational solo goal in a one-man counter attacking move.
Picking the ball up on the edge of his own box, he sprinted with the ball into the Everton penalty box, cut inside, used McNeill as a decoy, and then slotted the ball into the bottom corner. It was a moment of brilliance topped off with a Cristiano Ronaldo ‘Siu’ celebration.
Starters: Vitek; Jurado, Fredricson, Bennett, Pye; Mainoo, Gore, Forson, Mather; Garnacho, McNeill. Subs used: Murray, Oyedele, Aljofree.
Next round: United host Leicester City in the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals. The game will be played at Old Trafford at the end of February, with the final date yet to be confirmed.
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