U18: United 2 Sunderland 0 – Reds leave it late to beat Black Cats

March 27th 2010, 12pm
Trafford Training Centre, Carrington

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Manchester United U18s	2-0	Sunderland U18s

Ajose 81, 88 (pen)

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Down to the bare bones, without a win in three games and facing one of the strongest and most free-scoring sides in academy football, United’s U18s confounded all expectations at Carrington to grind out a gutsy, morale-boosting 2-0 win over Sunderland.

The Black Cats perhaps shaded a cagey first half and were definitely well on top in the early stages of the second, dominating possession and having much the better of the chances. The makeshift Reds eventually weathered the storm however and finished the stronger, Nicky Ajose making the crucial breakthrough in the 81st minute and putting a gloss on the win from the penalty spot two minutes from time.

Reds to defend the Memorial Claudio Sassi, but won’t play in the Blue Stars

United’s U18s will return to northern Italy early next month to defend the Torneo di Calcio Memorial Claudio Sassi, but the club won’t be taking part in the annual FIFA Blue Stars Youth Cup in Switzerland this May.

Ferguson Jr weighs up permanent move for James

Reds midfielder Matt James has made such an impression in his six weeks on loan at Preston North End so far that manager Darren Ferguson is already floating the idea of securing the 18 year-old’s services on a more permanent basis.

U18s: Wednesday 0 United 0 – Reds held scoreless in Sheffield

March 20th, 11am
Middlewood Road, Sheffield

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Sheffield Wednesday U18s	0-0	Manchester United U18s

 
United’s U18s endured another frustrating morning as a stubborn and committed Sheffield Wednesday held the Reds to a 0-0 draw at Middlewood Road.

With Wednesday having only picked up two points at home all season, hopes were high for a productive visit to Yorkshire but those hopes were dashed by a surprisingly resolute Owls side, who proved difficult – and ultimately impossible – to break down. In a game that certainly won’t linger long in the memory, neither goalkeeper was overly exerted and goalmouth action was infrequent to say the least, with 0-0 looking a likely scoreline from a very early stage. The home side were delighted with the point when the final whistle went, but for United there was an undeniable sense of disappointment at a third successive draw in the Premier Academy League.

Woe for Welbeck as knee surgery ends his season

United forward Danny Welbeck has been forced to undergo an operation to repair torn cartilage in his knee, bringing a premature end to both his loan spell at Preston North End and his 2009/10 season.

Eikrem, de Laet and Gill nominated for Reserve Player of the Year

United reserves boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and assistant coach Warren Joyce have chosen Magnus Eikrem, Ritchie de Laet and Oliver Gill as the three nominees for this year’s Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year award.

U18s: United 1 Newcastle 1 – Reds pick up a point, but lose top spot

March 13th 2010, 12pm
Trafford Training Centre, Carrington

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Manchester United U18s	1-1	Newcastle United U18s

Pogba 27

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McDermott 11

 
For the second week running United were held to a draw on home turf, Newcastle the opponents this time as the Reds again had to come back from a goal down just to earn a point.

Paul McGuinness’ side started strongly but gifted the Magpies the opening goal with little more than ten minutes played, some haphazard defending leaving Greg McDermott with a simple tap-in. Unperturbed, the Reds kept their heads and continued to look the more dangerous side going forward and got back on terms just before the half hour mark as Paul Pogba glanced home Ajose’s near post freekick. United should have built on that, Joshua King going closest with a fierce strike that rattled the bar, but the blustery conditions at Carrington took their toll on a game that fizzled out as it wore on, neither side really ever looking likely to grab a winner in a drab second half.

Reserves: United 2 City 2 – More derby drama as City strike late to claim a point

March 11th 2010, 7pm
Moss Lane, Altrincham

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Manchester United Reserves	2-2	Manchester City Reserves

R Brown 19	-	Nimely 33
W Keane 27	-	Tutte 90 (pen)

 
It wouldn’t be a Manchester Derby this season without some late drama, but this time it was the blue side of the city who struck in the closing stages to change the result. Thankfully they chose a reserve game to make their late intervention, and United were still left with a useful point after a typically competitive clash ended 2-2 at Moss Lane.

Leading 2-0 after half an hour via Reece Brown’s free header and an impudent backheeled finish from the increasingly prolific Will Keane, the Reds were almost immediately pegged back by a goal from Alex Nimely and thereafter struggled to re-establish their early superiority. City exerted steady pressure on the United goal throughout the second half and when Brown conceded a penalty in the final minute, Andrew Tutte was able to step up and secure City a deserved share of the points from 12 yards.

Reports: United sign Belgian teen

Reports from numerous sources in Belgium are indicating that United have secured the signing of Standard Liege full-back Marnick Vermijl on a three-year deal.

U18s: United 2 Crewe 2 – Clinical Keane earns Reds a deserve share of the spoils

March 6th 2010, 11am
Trafford Training Centre, Carrington

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Manchester United U18s	2-2	Crewe Alexandra U18s

Ajose 4	-	Koral 17
W Keane 83	-	Oswell 62

 
A late equaliser from Will Keane salvaged a deserved point for United and kept the Reds on top of Academy League Group C after bogey side Crewe Alexandra had threatened to win at Carrington for the fourth season in a row.

Nicky Ajose’s fine early strike had got the Reds off to the perfect start but, in keeping with what was to be an open and end-to-end encounter, the visitors levelled twelve minutes later through Michael Koral. While United began to assert their dominance in the second half, it was the Railwaymen who took the lead via the head of Jason Oswell, and Paul McGuinness’ side had to rely on top scorer Keane to save the day with a typically cool finish seven minutes from time.