Manchester United’s Under-18s returned to league action this morning when they hosted Blackburn Rovers at Carrington.
United took an early lead in the 2nd minute with a great team goal. Hard work from Manni Norkett won possession in the corner before turning it back to Maxi Oyedele, who passed the ball to Sam Mather at the back post to calmly buffer James Nolan into the open net.
In the 11th minute, Blackburn thought they had levelled, but the referee’s whistle saved the day with a tight offside in a congested area.
Just before the 20th minute, United doubled the lead. It was a brilliant move from Kobbie Mainno, who leaped between the Blackburn midfielders before firing from 25 yards and hitting the post for the rebound to fall to Norkett, who expertly finished.
Five minutes later, a clever dribble from Mather opened up space down the left flank for him to select Norkett at the 6-yard box for an open header that looked like a sure goal, but was blocked by a last minute Blackburn defender. who launched himself. the goal.
In minute 31, Norkett had another chance with his head after a cross from Finley McAllister, but the striker was unable to get past the ball to direct it on goal.
A minute later, Norkett raced behind the baseline and fired off Adam Berry to hit the goalkeeper in the throat, who was able to collect.
A great tackle from Oyedele up the pitch followed, which saw the break ball drop into the path of Berry, who took a long-range shot that sailed just outside the left post.
United came close to the third before the break, but Berry was unable to properly connect McAllister’s cross from close range and Mather’s attempt after catching the loose ball was blocked by the Blackburn defender.
At half-time, United went 2-0 up after controlling the first 45 minutes.
Fifteen minutes into the second half, United scored the third. After a flurry of chances that were blocked, the ball came to Mainoo, who jumped to McAllister to cross for Norkett to shoot on the spin and grab his double from close range.
Two minutes later, Berry added another after Ethan Williams blocked a calamitous clearance from the Blackburn goalkeeper, passing it to Berry to finish in an open net.
In the 68th minute, Mather would play provider to help Williams score his second of the season.
Blackburn would manage a late consolation goal with big number nine Junior Ngangou finishing well.
But that was not the end of the action, as United substitute Ethan Wheatley was eager to make a mark, setting up Oyedele to score and cap off a fantastic performance.
United: Hanbury, McAllister, Aljofree, Jackson, Nolan, Oyedele, Mainoo (Wheatley 63), Williams, Berry, Mather, Norkett
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