Video: Recent debutant proves he is too good for u21s level with lethal brace

29/04/2024 22:30

Manchester United u21s rounded out the Premier League 2 regular season with an unusual lunchtime kick-off on a Monday away to Southampton.

Needing a win for a chance to secure qualification to next season’s Premier League International Cup, things got off to a shaky start as Southampton scored within the opening minute.

A loose pass back by Omari Forson saw possession turned over at United’s end to launch a quick counter for Southampton, ending with Sam Amo-Ameyaw sliding the ball under Elyh Harrison.

United looked for a quick response through Ethan Williams who opened the space on the left wing, playing a one-two with Harry Amass before running 50 yards and smashing the ball off the crossbar.

Ethan Wheatley opened United’s tally in the 21st minute, taking Forson’s pass on the turn inside the box to slot inside the bottom right corner.

The striker, who recently made his first team debut, added his second just two minutes later. Sam Mather played the ball over the top for Wheatley to take down while holding off the defender and expertly sliding low past the keeper.

Southampton had the lion’s share of the possession but Harrison made two big saves to keep the score 1-2 going into the break.

Harrison couldn’t keep them out forever though and the home side equalised just before the hour mark, an unlucky deflection saw Harrison’s save bounce back off Luke Pearce and into the goal.

United were deadly in the final third on the day though and restored their lead with two goals within two minutes.

First Mather drove into the box and curled the ball into the bottom left corner before Ethan Williams tapped in the rebound from Wheatley’s shot to make it 2-4.

Williams added his second in the 80th minute when he received the cut back from Amass to side foot into an almost empty net.

A lovely pass over the Southampton backline by Jacob Devaney found Charlie McNeill, who took it down and hit it low into the bottom left corner.

Southampton’s Will Merry added a consolation goal before the end but it was too late to catch the free-scoring United.

The win brought United up to 29 points in 20 matches and sealed the 12th spot in the table. The u21s season isn’t over yet though as they now move onto the play-offs, where they will face off against fifth place Arsenal.

Six goals.
Three points.

Signing out of the regular #PL2 season in style! #MUFC || #MUAcademypic.twitter.com/Nwgfzjn1Qp

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 29, 2024

United: Harrison, Ogunneye, Jackson, Aljofree, Amass, McAllister, Curley (Devaney 56), Forson, Mather (Scanlon 81), Williams (Murray 86), Wheatley (McNeill 82)

Unused subs: Kingdon