Manchester United U21s had to comeback from behind twice before overcoming Everton 4-2 to advance to the quarter-finals of the Premier League 2 play-offs.
Here are our player ratings for the match. Read the detailed match report of all the action here.
(A score of 6 is around average)
Elyh Harrison – 6.5 – Couldn’t do much for either of the goals with the first being a wonder strike and the second a scramble in front of the goal. He didn’t have a great deal of keeping to do beyond that. But was very good with his feet again which helped the backline play out under pressure and his long pass to find Wheatley kickstarted United’s first goal.
Habeeb Ogunneye – 6.5 – One of the few United players who looked comfortable under the physical pressure of Everton. Defended well under pressure to hold off challenges and play out from the back or win fouls. But could have offered a bit more in attack.
Louis Jackson – 6 – Defended the box well with a couple of clearances and blocks but was caught out a few times when pushing up the field.
Godwill Kukonki – 5.5 – A tough test for Kukonki up against one of the few strikers in the country who is actually bigger than him in Martin Sherif. Without the physical advantage he struggled to keep hold of Sherif who was able to shield the ball and spin Kukonki a few times including in the build-up to their first goal. A unique test for the 17-year-old though who will have learnt plenty from it.
Sam Murray – 6.5 – A very nice pass for Wheatley’s first goal, he was very safe in possession and rarely lost it but also slowed down the play a bit too much by playing it safe more often than not.
Sekou Kone – 6 – A polarising performance, he made the difference late on with an assist for Fletcher’s goal and bagging the fourth himself with a deflected effort. But it was a poor performance up until that point. He started off very slowly, coughing up possession in dangerous areas twice in the opening 10 minutes and was often outmuscled throughout the match. As the deepest midfielder he also offered very little protection to the backline as Everton’s Braiden Graham exploited the space.
Tyler Fletcher – 6.5 – Incredibly well taken goal. To turn at the edge of the box and quickly pick his corner showed his class. Improved in the second half, getting involved more and moving the ball quicker after a poor first half.
Bendito Mantato – 5 – A very quiet match, he threatened with an early direct run before completely drifting out of the match.
Jack Moorhouse – 6.5 – Was one of the few bright sparks in what was overall an insipid and slow performance from United. His ability to turn and dribble through tight areas fashioned a couple of chances but more often than not he couldn’t produce the end product.
James Scanlon – 5.5 – Didn’t offer much threat from the wide areas and when he came inside to get involved his shots were blocked or couldn’t find an opener.
Ethan Wheatley – 8 – Hasn’t seen much match time on his loan but you wouldn’t have guessed it. Some good hold up play and relentless pressing got him his two goals which were finished off with clinical ease. He will be hoping to keep it up as he puts the loan spell behind him.
Substitutes
Jacob Devaney – 7 – Changed the game off the bench by really shoring up United in the midfield and shutting down Everton’s talisman Braiden Graham which gave United much more security at the back to build forward from.
Gabriele Biancheri – 6.5 – Lively cameo up top with good hold up play including an assist for Kone’s goal.
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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.
