Manchester United u21s returned from the international break with an away trip to Leeds United.
On a windy day at the Leeds training ground, Manchester United were on the front foot from the off. This was despite them fielding a very young side, due to many academy players being with the first team for training.
Just five minutes in, Jack Moorhouse pressed high to win possession but was denied by a big save after receiving the return pass from James Overy.
Amir Ibragimov hit the back of the net in the eighth minute but the celebrations were short-lived, with the ref’s whistle blowing for offside. Sam Mather’s corner was headed off the crossbar initially by Victor Musa before Ibragimov converted.
Against the run of play, Leeds took the lead just before the half hour mark. An incredible long range strike from Alfie Cresswell was aided by the wind into the top left corner, giving Cameron Byrne-Hughes no chance.
Three minutes later, Leeds doubled their lead when they worked it down the right wing and cut back to Harry Gray for a close range finish.
It suddenly seemed everything was going against United when Leeds’ corner flew directly into the goal by the wind but fortunately the referee blew for a foul to save United’s blushes.
Into the second half, United looked to turn it around, pinning Leeds into their box early on.
Two chances came to Mather but he couldn’t keep his shot on target before having another effort blocked.
Ultimately it was Sekou Kone who ventured forward from his defensive midfield role to pull one back.
Mather’s corner delivery could only be cleared to Kone, lurking at the edge of the box, who did well to adjust his feet before volleying into the roof of the net with his left foot.
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Two minutes later, Kone made the difference again when he got forward to receive the ball in the box but was bundled over as he collected the ball to earn a penalty.
Having returned to United to get some match time from his loan at Tranmere Rovers, Mather stepped up and slotted low from the spot to draw it level at 2-2,
United pushed until the final moments but couldn’t get it over the line as the Leeds defenders scrambled on the line to get it away before Jayden Ngwashi lashed it over the bar.
Settling for one point, United move into sixth place in the league, well within the playoff spots.
United: Byrne-Hughes, Ogunneye, Mills, Fredricson, Murray, Kone, Ibragimov, Overy (Baumann 60), Moorhouse (Bailey 86), Mather (Ngwashi 73), Musa
Unused subs: Myles, Rowe
Featured image Sekou Kon signing for Man United, posted on Instagram
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Colm Murphy A football obsessed Canadian who moved to England to enjoy the beautiful game. Colm has been keen follower of Manchester United’s famed academy since seeing a fresh faced Adnan Januzaj for the club’s u18s and has been writing about football with a focus on youth development for over 10 years.
