Youth Cup: U18s set for Chelsea challenge

United’s U18s take on Chelsea in the second leg of their FA Youth Cup semi-final at Old Trafford this evening, the tie finely poised after the Blues’ 3-2 victory at Stamford Bridge 10 days ago.

Youth Cup: Chelsea 3 United 2 – Reds roar back to set up scintillating second leg

FA Youth Cup Semi-Final, First Leg
April 10th 2011, 12.30pm
Stamford Bridge, West London

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Chelsea U18s	3-2	Manchester United U18s

Chalobah 30, 42		Lingard 56
Devyne 72		Pogba 77

 
 
A storming second half display by United’s youngsters has left their FA Youth Cup Semi-Final with Chelsea finely poised, the West London club leading 3-2 after Sunday’s enthralling first leg at Stamford Bridge.

Trailing 2-0 at the break to two set-piece efforts from Blues centre-back Nathaniel Chalobah and second-best throughout that first 45 minutes, Paul McGuinness’ side responded superbly after the break and goals from Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba – albeit sandwiching an against the run of play strike from Chelsea’s Bobby Devyne – were the least they deserved for an eye-catching and dominant second half performance that will give the Reds plenty of encouragement when they seek to overturn a one goal deficit at Old Trafford in ten days time.

Youth Cup Semi-Final Preview: In Chelsea, Reds face formidable final-four foe

With the first team fighting for silverware on three fronts and big games coming thick and fast, it’s easy to overlook the fact that it’s not just United’s senior side that look set for a thrilling (and hopefully trophy-laden) climax to the campaign. Warren Joyce’s reserves are in hot pursuit of a treble of their own, while United’s U18s are 180 minutes away from the FA Youth Cup final, with the first leg of their last four clash with Chelsea taking place at Stamford Bridge this Sunday.

U18s: United 1 Liverpool 2 – Reds’ run ends as Merseysiders get revenge

April 4th, 1.30pm
Trafford Training Centre, Carrington

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Manchester United U18s	1-2	Liverpool U18s

Lawrence 32		Morgan 23
		Massacci own goal 45

 
The U18s’ eight-match unbeaten run came to an end as Liverpool gained a measure of revenge for last month’s FA Youth Cup exit with a 2-1 win at Carrington.

A makeshift United side – featuring just two of the starting eleven from that thriller at Anfield – fell behind midway through the first half to a goal from Liverpool’s top scorer Adam Morgan, and while Tom Lawrence produced a fine equaliser ten minutes later, Paul McGuinness’ side found themselves in arrears again on the stroke of half-time through an own goal by the unfortunate Alberto Massacci. The visitors were good for their lead, and while United had their chances to snatch a point in the second half, Liverpool kept them at bay to record a deserved win.

U18s: United 2 Sunderland 0 – Keane caps comeback with late clincher

March 31st, 1.30pm
Trafford Training Centre, Carrington

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Manchester United U18s	2-0	Sunderland U18s

Lawrence 62 (pen)
W.Keane 90

 
United’s U18s extended their impressive recent unbeaten run to eight games with victory over Academy League Group D title challengers Sunderland at a blustery Carrington.

The Black Cats came into the game in formidable form and look well-placed to qualify for the end of season national play-offs, but an under-strength United side – missing almost the entire XI likely to start in the upcoming FA Youth Cup semi-final with Chelsea – dealt superbly with both the conditions and the opposition to run out 2-0 winners.

The Reds shaded the majority of a scrappy game and finally converted that superiority into a ead just after the hour mark, Tom Lawrence converting from the penalty spot after Gyliano van Velzen was crudely brought down. With reigning MUFC Young Player of the Year Will Keane making his long-awaited return from injury and settling things with an injury-time tap-in, Paul McGuinness could reflect on another thoroughly satisfactory outing for his young team.