Miscellaneous Reserve/Youth News

Starting XI:

1. Byrne-Hughes
2. Freedman
3. Kukonki
4. Mills
5. Armer (c)
6. McCormack
7. Mantato
8. Bailey
9. Bradbury
10. Ibrovic-Fletcher
11. Balogun
 
Gungerz said:
Starting XI:

1. Byrne-Hughes
2. Freedman
3. Kukonki
4. Mills
5. Armer (c)
6. McCormack
7. Mantato
8. Bailey
9. Bradbury
10. Ibrovic-Fletcher
11. Balogun
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Cheers, mate. Tried to listen to the announcer and see who’s playing but the graphics were only in Chinese so it became a bit difficult. Recognise some of the faces but not all.
 
NotQuiteManc said:
Any special talent(s) that we should be looking for in that lineup?
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To me Kukonki, Balogun, Mantato & Bradbury are the most interesting ones. Ibrovic-Fletcher's supposed to be a good talent too, as is McCormack. A few decent ones on the bench too.
 
Love it how Mantato wants to take on his fullback (and the whole defense) every time he gets the ball.
 
After the U19 tournament in Croatia, it's nice to see another youth event with brilliant TV production.

Water breaks every 15 minutes, it seems.
 
top1whoisman said:
Cheers, mate. Tried to listen to the announcer and see who’s playing but the graphics were only in Chinese so it became a bit difficult. Recognise some of the faces but not all.
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What ? You are not fluent in Cantonese ? :)
 
HT 3-0.

Balogun & Mantato on the flanks have been very good. Ibrovic-Fletcher is a fun player to watch.
 
Ajayi on for Bradbury. He's gone wide left & Balogun has moved upfront.
 
50'

Freedman booked after a late tackle. The ref has ignored a lot of fouls from both sides so not surprised if it gets a bit feisty.
 
62'

Balogun comes off after a receiving a knock. Ibrovic-Fletcher moves up top with Jariyah Shah replacing Balogun and playing as an AM.
 
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Funny ending to the game. The commentators and the crowd going crazy with the hosts looking for a consolation goal. A few nice saves from Byrne-Hughes.
 
Playing 90 minute matches in 30 degree heat is tough for even fully seasoned pros. So for those kids to do it when they're normally used to 70-80 minute games is impressive, although there was a clear quality drop off towards the end as you'd expect.
 
Gungerz said:
Playing 90 minute matches in 30 degree heat is tough for even fully seasoned pros. So for those kids to do it when they're normally used to 70-80 minute games is impressive, although there was a clear quality drop off towards the end as you'd expect.
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Yeah thought the same. And to be precise it was a 106-minute match. Both teams absolutely knackered at the full time whistle. Just hope there's no major muscle injuries because of this but all in all it's another challenging experience that can only help them in the long run.
 
Mantato named MOTM with Diego Forlan giving him the award.

Balogun is hobbling quite badly post match & being helped in walking around by Ibragimov. Hopefully nothing too serious but I doubt we'll see him in the second match.
 
Gungerz said:
Mantato named MOTM with Diego Forlan giving him the award.

Balogun is hobbling quite badly post match & being helped in walking around by Ibragimov. Hopefully nothing too serious but I doubt we'll see him in the second match.
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Yeah saw that too, the collision with the keeper looked a bit dangerous (for both). And he already got a knock in the first half.

Mantato absolutely deserved that. Brilliant performance.
 
I was at the match. Really frustrating as the announcers called the players by the first names, so really had no idea who they were.

Number 7 (Mantato) and number 11 (Balogan) were by far the most eye catching - number 10 (Ibrovic-Fletcher) and 5 (Armer) were also pretty good.

The weather was horrid and was dripping in sweat just sitting down and watching - so fair play to all the lads that played.

Also this is the first live match I’ve seen that has had VAR. I see why people hate it now - as a spectator at the grounds we have absolutely no idea what happened and what they’re even checking (no idea what the red card check was about)
 
The other match of the Hong Kong trip is on Saturday 12 August at 16:45 local time (9:45 BST).
 
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Gungerz said:
Balogun is hobbling quite badly post match & being helped in walking around by Ibragimov. Hopefully nothing too serious but I doubt we'll see him in the second match.
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He's now on crutches & wearing a knee brace, so doesn't look great.
 
Great video. So important to leave these kids with the best possible memories of their time at United as ultimately the vast majority won't make it as professionals.

 
U16s starting XI:

13 Heath

2 Freedman
12 Mapengu?
5 Armer
3 Kukonki

6 McCormack
8 Bailey

7 Mantato
10 Ibrovic-Fletcher
14 Ajayi

9 Bradbury

Balogun on crutches and in a protective boot.
 
4’

Mantato brought down inside the box. Looks a bit soft but penalty given. VAR rightly overturns it.
 
14’

1-0 Bradbury. Brilliant through ball from Ibrovic-Fletcher and Bradbury calmly passes it into the far corner.
 
I missed the 1st game but watching this one on YouTube.

As regards the CM's - I know we signed James Bailey from Burnley, I thought I'd read he's a winger? And thought McCormack was a CB? Are they both actually primarily CM's, or just able to play there?
 
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