Another breathtaking JJ Gabriel performance as U18s notch convincing cup victory

Manchester United Under-18s took on Oxford United in the FA Youth Cup round of 16 on Wednesday night.

Michael Carrick made the trip to watch Darren Fletcher’s side play at the Kassam Stadium.

The young Red Devils were boosted by the return of Jim Thwaites, who made his first start after recently recovering from injury.

First half

Both sides traded blows early in the match before United took the lead in the 12th minute.

Yuel Helafu played the ball inside for Bendito Mantato, who took it excellently on the turn to spin his man and shoot on goal. It was turned wide for a corner.

From the resulting corner, Jim Thwaites delivered to Albert Mills, who towered above everyone in the area to head past the keeper.

Thwaites’ set-piece deliveries were a constant source of threat throughout the first half, with Chido Obi almost converting from one when he flicked the ball over the bar from close range.

Later in the half, JJ Gabriel played the ball over the top for Bendito Mantato to run through, but his placed shot bounced off the right post before being cleared.

In the 45th minute, Gabriel took a shot at goal of his own that dipped and bounced before the keeper, who couldn’t handle the ball’s movement, doubling United’s lead going into the half.

Second half

Gabriel came close again minutes after the restart when his curling effort was pushed for a corner by a fingertip save.

United did get their third goal shortly after, though, when Junior Brown danced down the left wing before cutting back to Obi for an easy finish.

Oxford pulled one back in the 60th minute with a similar goal of their own. Their danger man on the night, Mo Missanga, ran down the left wing and centred to Josh Holton for a tidy finish.

It was too little, too late for the home side, though, and United restored their three-goal lead in stoppage time.

Noah Ajayi came close moments before but ultimately got his goal from the bench just before the final whistle. Jay McEvoy spread the play to Ajayi on the left wing, who shrugged off his marker before gliding past another to rifle a shot past the keeper at the near post.

United advance to the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup, where they will take on the winner of Sunderland and Brighton.

Match facts

United: Byrne-Hughes, Helafu (J. Watson 85), Mills, Armer, Kukonki, McCormack, Thwaites (McEvoy 75), Mantato, Gabriel, Brown (Ajayi 75), Obi Unused subs: Heath, D. Nkoto, Shah, Bradbury

Scorers: Mills 12, Gabriel 45, Obi 50, Ajayi 90+3

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