Dillon Hoogewerf led the way for Manchester United in an emphatic 4-1 win in the U18 Premier League. The Dutch forward hit three good goals before Charlie Savage wrapped the game up late on. The result means Neil Ryan’s United team are now clear at the top of the league.
There were a number of stand-out players on Saturday morning, even though United took half-an-hour to really get into their groove. New signings Logan Pye and Marc Jurado impressed in the full-back positions. Zidane Iqbal and Charlie Savage kept United ticking in midfield. Wellens and Emeran offered directness off the bench. These, though, were the three best players.
Dillon Hoogewerf
There’s nowhere else to start. A hat-trick, yes, but all three goals were different and of good quality.
Hoogewerf opened the scoring as shown below, controlling the ball calmly in the box and rifling it home.
His second goal was similarly pleasing to see from a striker. Hoogewerf latched onto a Bjorn Hardley header in the box, showed great anticipation and beat Marshall to it before poking it past the Newcastle ‘keeper.
“Dillon has been working really, really hard this last month and is getting the rewards now.”
Neil Ryan, United U18s manager, speaking to MUTV
The third, meanwhile, was a lovely clipped effort from outside the box. The variety in Hoogewerf’s goals will be comforting for United’s coaching. Hoogewerf showed that quality to his game last season in the FA Youth Cup.
In that competition he scored a great header to defeat Leeds United but some good finishes and composure in other games against Lincoln. He was much-missed in the recent semi-final against Chelsea.
Logan Pye
The former-Sunderland man was in good form against Newcastle. Starting at left-back, Pye was composed and reliable in defence and offered plenty going forward.
Marc Jurado showed similar quality on the right flank but it was Pye’s combination play with Isak Hansen-Aaroen that was impressive.
Pye assisted Hoogewerf’s opener after receiving the ball from Hansen and combined with the Norwegian to set up McNeill earlier on too. He’s settled in well at United after joining in the summer and an injury-free season will see his development move quickly.
Charlie Savage
Hansen-Aaroen was excellent in a free roaming number 10 role. It’s worth paying homage to his display but Savage was equally good.
The Englishman did the dirty work for much of the game, breaking up Newcastle’s play when necessary and starting United’s attacks.
As the game opened up and Newcastle’s effort levels dropped, Savage became more involved in higher areas of the pitch.
That showed when he was well inside the Newcastle half to intercept Marshall’s throw. Savage controlled the ball, played it to Hoogewerf and he finished brilliantly.
And the goal came to wrap up the game too. It was a nice moment for Charlie who had played well. Noam Emeran made it, and his quality off the bench was fantastic. Savage’s run was good though.
Late on in the game, with United leading, the midfielder was still making those late runs into the box from deep and that’s a good quality. His finish was emphatic too, a side-footed strike on his left that rattled into the top right corner.
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