Academy Match report: Manchester United u18s 3-1 Leeds United u18s – Man United News And Transfer News

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Manchester United u18s hosted bottom of the table Leeds United at Carrington on Tuesday night.

The match started at a high pace with United pressing high and Jack Moorhouse stole possession at the edge of Leeds box within the first 30 seconds and struck low for the keeper to save with his feet.

Still in the second minute, a surging run from Moorhouse opened space before he slipped the ball out wide to James Scanlon who roofed it into the back of the net to give United the early lead.

James Scanlon’s great finish to give Manchester United the early lead against Leeds. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/tOvsQiVoJW

— The Peoples Person (@_peoplesperson_) April 18, 2023

In the 10th minute, Sam Murray played Scanlon into the left channel before making the overlapping run and curling into the box for Manni Norkett but the Leeds defender pipped in to clear for a corner to deny a big chance.

Shea Lacey played Norkett into the right channel and the forward drove into box until the defender made contact in his back to bring him down but the ref waved it off for going down too easy.

In the 24th minute, incredible skill from Lacey saw him wriggle into the box by the byline and dink it over the keeper and off the near post before being cleared.

A few minutes later, Leeds broke on a counter attack, poking the ball through to the left fullback darting in behind and forcing a huge save from Elyh Harrison who was quick out to cover the angles.

Leeds began growing into the match and a big chance came their way as they countered with an overload on the left but Harrison was up to the task, coming out quick to smother the ball into the box.

United couldn’t hold on until the break though as Leeds equalised late into injury time through Heaton Brown finishing off a cross from the right wing.

Early in the second half, Leeds’ Ben Andreucci, who scored a double in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, looks to repeat but couldn’t beat Harrison from 18 yards as the keeper held onto the shot with stretched arms.

Shortly after there was another chance for Andreucci running in behind but the Leeds forward’s attempt was straight down the throat of Harrison who calmly collected.

United should have restored their lead just after the hour mark when Norkett expertly held up play on the left to turn and cross for Moorhouse at the back post who somehow skied it over the bar from 8 yards out.

In the 73rd minute, Sam Mather who was making his return from a lengthy injury lay off, curled the ball out the right side with the assistance of the wind for Norkett who bumped the defender out from under the ball and smashed it in on the half volley past the keeper to make it 2-1 for his 10th of the season.

Incredible take from Manni Norkett, leaving the keeper no chance. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/pLgYB1yfPx

— The Peoples Person (@_peoplesperson_) April 18, 2023

Andreucci was Leeds’ main target up front and he threatened again, getting on the end of a cross and he controlled down eight yards out and turned to strike but a vital block from James Nolan sent the shot over the bar.

Last into injury time, United sealed the match with a third coming from another audacious bit of skill from Shea Lacey.

The young winger danced past four defenders to get into the box before chipping the goalie and hitting the woodwork once again but this time Ethan Wheatley was on hand to finish off the rebound.

Take a bow Shea Lacey #MUFC pic.twitter.com/k3lh92coJW

— The Peoples Person (@_peoplesperson_) April 18, 2023

With the match out of Leeds’ hands, flares started to temper in the dying seconds including a nasty challenge on Lacey which could have easily warranted a straight red.

Handbags followed at the final whistle but United’s player’s were happy to walk off with their three points and look forward now to fixture with Middlesbrough on Friday.

United: Harrison, Kamason, Jackson (Fitzgerald 35), Nolan, Murray (Missin 62), McAllister (Wheatley 62), Moorhouse (Mather 62), Williams, Lacey, Scanlon, Norkett

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