Academy at Crewe

Elliott

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U18s: Crewe 5 United 1

United's Under-18s suffered a heavy defeat on Saturday, albeit one that didn't quite reflect the game's true nature.

In the absence of regular strikers Will Keane and John Cofie, Paul McGuinness was forced to field Ryan Tunnicliffe in an advanced role. Despite the changes, the Reds created plenty of chances. But a combination of poor finishing and top goalkeeping by Crewe's Ben Garratt contrived to frustrate United.

Tunnicliffe did eventually find the net on 72 minutes, with a volley from the edge of the area, but by then Crewe were already 4-0 up thanks to goals by Luke George, Brendan Daniels and a brace from Max Clayton. The latter completed his hat-trick, and the scoring, in second-half injury-time as United slumped to a third straight league defeat.

There were encouraging signs, though. Garratt was kept far busier than Reds goalkeeper Conor Devlin, while Michele Fornasier and Jesse Lingard both hit the woodwork. The young Italian headed onto the woodwork from a corner, while Lingard clipped the post with a superb shot from 25 yards.

The young Reds will now turn their attentions to the FA Youth Cup fifth round tie against Newcastle United. The game, at Moss Lane, Altrincham on Wednesday 15 February, will be shown live on MUTV. Kick-off is at 19:00 GMT.

United: Devlin, Massacci, Ekangamene, Thorpe, Fornasier, Pogba, Lawrence (Barmby 75), Tunnicliffe, Lingard, Van Velzen.
Subs not used: Johnstone, Givern, Barmby, Keane M

manutd.com
 
Just watched the highlights and the scoreline wasn't representative of the game at all, even the Crewe manager at the end said something along the lines of 'sorry..don't know how that happened'.

We created a lot of chances, but a mixture of poor finishing, good goalkeeping (albeit it lucky at times), the woodwork and some great last ditch defending kept us out and Crewe, Clayton in particular, were clinical.

Ekangamene was at fault for one of their goals, and Devlin won't be happy with a few of the goals he condeded but the team played some great football at times, hopefully it won't have a negative effect for the game midweek.
 
Caught the highlights earlier, couldn't agree more with the above. Really strange game, was only highlights I know but don't think it's a stretch to say we could have won that. Not often you can say that about 5-1 defeats, but we created so many chances, can't help wondering how different things would have been with Keane or Cofie on the field. Two of their goals were absolute gifts as well, while the last couple were really down to us pushing forward desperately trying to get back into it.
 


It was an encouraging attacking performance and ahead of the game tomorrow, at least it will give the lads a defensive kick up the back side.
 
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