United U-18's finished their pre-season campaign with a very comfortable 4-1 victory over Huddersfield Town at Carrington this morning.
Starting on a new pitch for the 2009/10 season, the club had installed three permanent stands which can accommodate approximately 120 supporters. While it was good to get a seat, it did nothing to prevent the weather from giving all the supporters a drenching as the rain was vertical at times.
The game kicked off in sensation fashion with Ravel Morrison giving United a lead in the first minute. Three minutes later Josh King made it 2-0 with a good finish from a right wing cross by Nick Ajose.
United were clearly on top and the Huddersfield defence was all over the place. Once again King's pace and strength was causing all sorts of problems. He was brought down in the penalty area just before the half hour mark and Morrison stepped up to place it past the keeper. Then three minutes before half time, a foul on King again, this time for shirt pulling, led to another penalty. This time Josh took the spotkick, and although the keeper got a hand to the shot, it had too much power and ended in the net.
Half-time: Manchester United 4 Huddersfield Town 0
Hussain and Ngoo had already come on as subs in the first half, replacing the injured Robbie Brady and Will Keane respectively. Paul McGuinness took the opportunity of one additional change at the break, McGinty coming on for Thorpe.
In the second half, Huddersfield came out much more determined, while we relaxed and weren't as decisive on the ball or with our passing. In fact, quite a few players were trying things on their own, rather than playing a team game. Morrison in particular was very slack at times.
To be fair, the terrible conditions didn't help and Huddersfield scored a deserved consolation goal half way through the second period, a reward for a more dogged approach.
We made quite a few substitutions in the last half an hour, and there were few other chances to talk about.
Josh King was easily the best player on the park, while Morrison showed neat touches on occasions. Both Will Keane and Robbie Brady were excellent in the first half an hour before going off with niggles.
Final Score: Manchester United 4 Huddersfield Town 1
Team:
1. Devlin
2. Brown
3. Giverin
4. Thorpe (2) '63
5. Wootton (capt)
6. Tunnicliffe
7. Ajose
8. Morrison
9. King
10. W. Keane
11. Brady
12. Cofie (9) '61
13. Johnstone (1) '70
14. Ngoo (10) '36
15. McGinty (4) '46
16. Cole (6) '63
17. Lingard (7) '61
18. Hussain (11) '27
Goals: Morrison '1 and '29p, King '4 and '42p
Thorpe came back on after being substituted at HT
