Manchester United’s Under-21s took on Fleetwood Town in the final game of the EFL Trophy group stage confident of having advanced.
The opening ten minutes saw a few half chances for Fleetwood, but nothing to test Nathan Bishop in goal.
United’s first chance was a lovely move by Shola Shoretire to slip through the middle before firing Charlie McNeill down the left and charging into the box for the return pass to slide him into the back of the net in the 15th minute. , the flag was already up for offside on McNeill in the buildup.
Four minutes later, Shoretire picked up the ball on the left halfway line and played a perfectly placed ball over the top to Omari Forson, splitting the central defenders and Forson was brought down as he ran into the box to earn a penalty.
McNeill stepped forward and brazenly hit the ball down the middle to give United the lead.
Later in the half, an intricate dribble from Isak Hansen-Aaroen led his way into the box before passing to Sam Murray, whose low effort was cleared off the line. Fleetwood immediately countered down the right and forced a low save from Bishop.
The half-time break came with United still in the lead. Toby Collyer entered the game for Charlie Savage, while Fleetwood brought in several senior players looking for a comeback.
Fleetwood’s Joe Garner tested Bishop early in the second with a stretching save to deflect the 20-yard effort over the crossbar.
Forson gained possession at the half and ran into the Fleetwood box before cutting and diving towards the back post, but the 18-year-old couldn’t apply enough whip as he shot up.
In the 63rd minute, Fleetwood pulled one back through Carlos Mendes Gomes. Marc Jurado jumped into a challenge on the wing and was easily beaten, allowing Mendes Gomez to find himself in the box to spin and launch a shot that deflected past Bishop.
Just four minutes later, Fleetwood would take the lead when they hit the left baseline with plenty of room and cut for Joe Garner to slide daintily into the top right corner just out of reach of Bishop’s outstretched hand.
Shortly after, Huddlestone looked to turn back the years with a long-range effort deflected into a corner. The resulting corner saw Teden Mengi head back and come off for a goal kick at the near post.
In the 83rd, Fleetwood tested from distance, and Bishop gave up a juicy rebound that looked like Samuel Glenfield would bring down, but Mengi stepped in to catch something on the breaking ball and deflect it.
Minutes later, an incisive inside pass from the right found Carl Johnston on the turn to quickly overtake Rhys Bennett, but he couldn’t prevent his 12-yard shot into the stands.
Injury time came, and Shoretire stepped up to play hero again after his marvelous stoppage-time brace against Chelsea on Saturday. This time, Huddlestone selected the youngster in the crowded box to take the turn beautifully, opening up space before planting his left foot to tie the match.
With the score tied at 90, it was time for penalties to be taken in front of the United supporters on the outside.
Jurado takes first and puts it high in the left corner. Carl Johnston of Fleetwood rolls it to the bottom left corner to keep it level.
Mainoo came next, crashing it into the bottom left corner through the goalie’s arms. Joe Garner fit in the bottom right corner for Fleetwood.
Huddlestone quietly slipped into the lower left corner before Shaun Rooney put his effort into the net in the lower left.
Joe Hugill also went for the left corner but hit the base of the post on the first miss. Paddy Lane put him down the middle under Bishop to give Fleetwood the advantage.
Mengi shot to the upper right corner, a perfect penalty. Mendes Gomes went to the right and was saved by a big hand from Bishop to keep United in it.
Shoretire saved on the right, giving Cian Hayes a chance to seal the win when he put the ball into the bottom right corner.
Despite the loss, United led the group with seven points and advanced to the knockout stages of the EFL Trophy.
United: Bishop, Jurado, Bennett, Hardley (Mengi 66), Murray, Savage (Collyer 46), Mainoo, Forson (Oyedele 88), Hansen-Aaroen (Huddlestone 66), Shoretire, McNeill (Hugill 66)
Unused Subs: Mastny, Fredricson
United Matchday Magazine – The Ultimate Match Experience Take your seat for the Spurs match and stay in the loop on all things United!
Get all the match preparation, articles, news, riddles, nostalgia and humor. Online soccer content like you’ve never seen it before. No ads, no clickbait, no fake news – just 100% pure United. secure online ordering Click Preview to see more or shop for just £1.25 / $1.50 Limited Time Offer: SAVE £10 On A Season Pass – Use Discount Code SEASON35 At Checkout.
