United 2 City 1: Many happy returns for OGS as reserves bag derby victory

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Manchester United Reserves	2-1	Manchester City Reserves

James 37	-	Bojinov 45 (pen)
Macheda 40	-	-

 

United 0 Stoke 1: U18s frustrated as Stoke gain revenge

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Manchester United U18s	0-1	Stoke City U18s

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Brunt 5

 
United slipped to a second successive 1-0 reverse at Carrington this morning, an early goal for the visitors giving the Potters something to defend, and defend they did – extremely well. A somewhat makeshift Reds eleven were caught cold inside the first five minutes by a brilliant goal on the counter-attack from Darren Brunt, and thereafter saw plenty of possession, bossed the game right up until the final third but were frustrated time and again in their hunt for an equaliser by the superbly-organised Stoke rearguard. On a typically grey and blustery Manchester morning, the two sides produced a game in keeping with the conditions – it certainly wasn’t pretty, but for the visitors it was effective. A silver lining for the Reds came in the form of four U16 players making their debuts for Paul McGuinness’ U18 side.

Wigan 4 United 5: Sensational comeback sees Reds edge nine-goal thriller

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Wigan Athletic Reserves	4-5	Manchester United Reserves

Cywka 33, 54	-	Welbeck 11, 69
Kupisz 45	-	Macheda 62, 67
Holt 58 (pen)	-	Martin 80

 
It’s been a relatively sedate reserve season so far – lots of tight, cagey affairs, a smattering of 0-0 draws and not too many goals. Typical then that the one time the fixture lists conspired to have the first-team in action at the same time, the attention-starved second string were taking part in a quite exhilarating clash with Wigan at Robin Park. Nine goals, eight yellow cards, one red, penalties given and not given… this one had it all, including – ultimately – an astonishing comeback that clinched a first win for the Reds in this fixture since the Latics joined the Premer League North in 2005.

City 1 United 0: U18s succumb to late strike

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Manchester City U18s	1-0	Manchester United U18s

Benali 84

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In a very tense derby match at Platt Lane this morning, very little separated the two teams until City snatched a late goal to win the game and complete the double over their United counterparts. The Reds largely matched their table-topping local rivals but couldn’t find a way past Clegg in the City goal, the hosts ultimately making Paul McGuinness’ side pay with the only goal of the match from Ahmed Benali, a strike that ended United’s impressive unbeaten away record.

Midfield maestro offered professional contract

Erstwhile Under-18s skipper and recent reserve regular Matt James has been rewarded for his fine form at both levels this season with the offer of a two-year professional contract at United.

Macheda and Petrucci make big impression on Solskjaer

Reserve team manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been speaking about the impression United’s 17 year-old Italian duo Kiko Macheda and Davide Petrucci have made on the coaching staff at Carrington.

United 2 Bolton 0: Duo on the spot as reserves notch first home win

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Manchester United Reserves	2-0	Bolton Wanderers Reserves

Fábio 27 (pen)	-	-
Macheda 64 (pen)	-	-

 
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reserve side bagged a long overdue first home win of their FA Premier Reserve League North campaign as Bolton were brushed aside at Moss Lane this evening. A penalty in each half (converted by Fábio da Silva and Federico Macheda) was enough to ensure a thoroughly deserved three points from a game that could have been a rout had the Reds been a bit more fortunate in open play.

Fagan shows there is life after United

When Republic of Ireland Under-21 boss Don Givens named his latest squad at the weekend, there was an interesting name with an interesting story to tell amongst the 18-man party.

United 0 Stockport 0 (7-8 on pens): Reserves suffer second MSC shoot-out setback in succession

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Manchester United Reserves	0-0	Stockport County Reserves

Stockport County win 8-7 on penalties

 
United’s defence of their Manchester Senior Cup crown took another hit at Carrington this afternoon as – for the second MSC game in a row – the Reds came out second best in a lengthy penalty shoot-out. Just like Bolton did back in October, visitors Stockport County held Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reserve side to a goalless draw and eventually won out on penalties, Reds left-back Joe Dudgeon missing the decisive spot-kick and leaving Solskjaer’s men needing a victory over Manchester City in their final group game to keep their chances of retaining the Cup alive.

Academy fixture falls victim to the weather

This morning’s U18 fixture between United and Blackburn Rovers has been postponed due to the pitches at the Reds’ Carrington training ground being frozen and deemed too dangerous to play on.

The game will be arranged for a date later in the season, with February 28th or April 11th the most likely choices.