United legend’s son makes u18s debut, but it was another sensational 15 year old who secured victory vs Newcastle

Manchester United Under-18s hosted Newcastle United on Saturday morning in the Under-18s Premier League.

After a whopping 7-0 victory over Liverpool last time out, United looked to carry their momentum into this match, as a win would see them leapfrog Newcastle in the table and move into second place.

Due to illness, Darren Fletcher took a more reserved role on the bench for the match, while Under-21s manager Travis Binnion stepped down to take charge on the touchline. The match saw Louie Bradbury make his first start of the campaign after returning from injury last week, when he scored off the bench against Liverpool.

A familiar name was also included on the bench, as Michael Carrick’s son, Jacey, made his Under-18s debut.

First half

The young Red Devils were on top from the start and were unlucky not to take the lead within the opening 10 minutes. Jim Thwaites forced an early save with an effort from 20 yards, before Bendito Mantato was denied by a world-class save on the rebound by George Mair.

A few minutes later, Junior Brown hung up a cross into the box for Jariyah Shah to run onto and take on the volley, but the Australian international was also denied by Mair. It was evident why Mair has been involved with England at youth level, as he produced more top saves to deny JJ Gabriel twice in the space of five minutes.

Mantato and Yuel Helafu combined on the right wing with some one-touch passing to break into the box, but Mantato’s squared pass was just out of reach for both Bradbury and Brown, who were attacking the back post. Despite the one-way traffic, the score remained 0-0 at the break, with the Newcastle keeper playing a huge role in that.

Second half

United looked to the bench at the break, introducing Douka Nkoto and Noah Ajayi. The change paid dividends within minutes, as Nkoto made the breakthrough in the 53rd minute by slotting in the rebound after Kukonki’s effort was saved.

The duo combined again on the hour mark to double United’s lead. Thwaites’ free-kick delivery was knocked down by Kukonki, who then poked it to Nkoto for an easy tap-in from close range.

Kukonki had an excellent second half, coming close to scoring himself after dribbling past three defenders and poking the ball towards the far corner, but it rolled just the wrong side of the post. Jacey Carrick replaced JJ Gabriel in the 70th minute for his Under-18s debut, slotting into midfield as his father famously did for the club.

The scoring was rounded out by Ajayi late on, when United pressed high up the pitch. Nkoto pinched the ball away before laying it off to Ajayi for an easy finish.

The win puts United back into second in the league ahead of Newcastle, but they remain four points behind rivals Manchester City. United now turn their attention to the FA Youth Cup for Tuesday’s match at Old Trafford against Peterborough United.

Match facts

United: Byrne-Hughes, Helafu, Mills, Armer, Kukonki, Thwaites (McEvoy 61), Shah, Mantato (D. Nkoto 46), Gabriel (Carrick 70), Brown, Bradbury (Ajayi 46)

Unused subs: Heath

Goals: D. Nkoto 53, 60, Ajayi 79

Feature image Lewis Storey via Getty Images

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