Reds complete Slovakia stay with hard-fought draw

United’s U18s completed their week-long training camp in Slovakia with a friendly against 1.FC Tatran Prešov, coming back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw thanks to goals from substitutes James Wilson and Luke Giverin.

U18s fall short in Slovak scrimmage

With a three week gap between Premier Academy League fixtures, United’s U18s ventured abroad in midweek to take on the U19 side of Slovakian top flight club FK Dukla Banská Bystrica in a friendly, unfortunately finishing up on the wrong end of a 5-1 scoreline.

Reds youngster Weir in line for Victory Shield call-up

United schoolboy James Weir looks set for inclusion in Kenny Swain’s England U16 squad for the upcoming Victory Shield clash with Northern Ireland.

Petrucci nears long-awaited return

After almost nine frustrating months on the sidelines, United’s highly-rated Italian midfielder Davide Petrucci is apparently close to a return to action.

U18s: Stoke 0 United 4 – Class from Keane as Reds cruise past Potters

October 9th 2010, 11am
Clayton Wood Training Ground, Stoke-on-Trent

	-
Stoke City U18s	0-4	Manchester United U18s

	-	W.Keane 14 (pen), 40
	-	Cofie 36
	-	Pogba 59

 
A first-half double from Will Keane helped United’s U18s extend their unbeaten start to the season to eight games with a convincing 4-0 win over Stoke City.

Making their first visit to the Potters’ newly-revamped Clayton Wood training complex, the Reds got off to a fine start as Keane netted from the spot to hand Paul McGuinness’ side an early lead. Leading scorer John Cofie grabbed the second goal ten minutes before the break, and with Keane netting a classy third just minutes later, United had all but secured the points by half-time. A brilliant long-range strike from Paul Pogba just before the hour mark made completely sure, the Frenchman’s third goal in as many games capping another fine win and sending the Reds top of Premier Academy League Group C.

Loan Update: October 5

International break it may be, but with eight United youngsters on loan in Leagues One and Two, there’s still something for Reds to keep an eye on at club level over the next fortnight – last night’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy action for starters, which saw involvement for five of our loanees on what turned out to be quite a dramatic evening.

September in Review: Eikrem takes Player of the Month honours

It’s been another impressive month for United’s youngsters across all levels, leaving us with a tough decision when picking September’s star man. While a couple of players have made compelling cases with their goalscoring exploits, we’ve gone for a man who’s predominantly a creator – the reserves’ captain and playmaking midfield maestro Magnus Eikrem.

Loan Update: October 2

As far as senior debuts go, scoring late on to earn your side a point against the league leaders isn’t too shabby – especially if you’re a defender. Step forward Scott Wootton…

U18s: United 3 Blackburn 2 – Late Keane spot-kick clinches dramatic win

October 2nd 2010, 11am
Trafford Training Centre, Carrington

	-
Manchester United U18s	3-2	Blackburn Rovers U18s

Morrison 28	-	MacLaren 4
Pogba 76	-	O’Connor 57
W.Keane 90+4 (pen)

 
Will Keane’s injury time penalty grabbed United all three points against Blackburn as a terrific game at Carrington ended in dramatic and controversial fashion.

United fell behind twice to goals by Jamie MacLaren and Anthony O’Connor but fought back each time, levelling through Ravel Morrison and Paul Pogba to set up a tense finale. The Reds’ chances of securing a win looked to have disappeared after they had a clear penalty for a foul on John Cofie turned down in the final minute, but justice was done deep into time added on as Michele Fornasier’s volley was blocked by a hand and Keane stepped up to coolly send the keeper the wrong way with practically the last kick of the match.