UtdDistrict spoke to Manchester United Academy expert AcademyScoop following their U18s FA Youth Cup win over Peterborough United on Tuesday evening.
Darren Fletcher’s Manchester United Under-18s stepped out at Old Trafford for the first time this season on Tuesday evening, facing Peterborough United’s youth side in the FA Youth Cup. A strong starting XI was named, with regular Under-21s contributors Jim Thwaites and Bendito Mantato both included.
The contest began in a cagey fashion, with neither side able to assert early control until JJ Gabriel provided the breakthrough. Rúben Amorim’s highly rated youngster opened the scoring with a composed, cushioned finish into the bottom-right corner.
Gabriel later turned creator, producing a clever flick to release Louie Bradbury, who was making only his third appearance of the campaign following injury. However, the young striker was unable to convert what proved to be the best chance of the first half.
The second period offered little improvement for the Under-18s. Gabriel continued to conjure flashes of quality but could not add to his tally before being replaced by Rafe McCormack.
A cagey afair, but much-needed win
The result has seen United sail into the next round of the famed competition, and following the full-time whistle, UtdDistrict spoke with United Academy expert Fin Picknett, also known as AcademyScoop, about the result.
“I thought it was a fairly cagey affair and far from a polished performance by Darren Fletcher’s side, but they did enough to get over the line,” he explained. “Just the moment of brilliance from JJ Gabriel separating the sides, and that’s what everyone was expecting from him going into the game.
“He was the main attraction and, you know, he provided the goods when it mattered. United were definitely better in the first half, had their fair few chances earlier in the game, and Peterborough certainly grew into it after United took the lead.
“In the second half, it felt like damage control, and United weren’t necessarily looking to extend their lead, but more so hold on to the advantage they’d already gained. So I don’t think there’ll be too many concerns about not playing some of the fast, free-flowing football that they’ve played in the PL North this season.
“They’ll be more happy with the result and happy that they’ll be moving on into the next round. I think in terms of some of the standouts, the likes of Jim Thwaites, Mantato and Kukonki showed their experience relative to others in this squad who were playing their first year of under-18 football. So I think it was important that there was that mix of youth and experience to get the job done for United.
“And obviously, in terms of the experience, playing at Old Trafford, that’s so important for the development of these young players. Playing in front of fans for the first time for many of them, so that will no doubt serve their development very well.”
Fletcher is creating his own Academy identity
There has been a lot of talk about Fletcher’s brilliant U18s side, who sit second in the U18s Premier League North table and recently demolished rivals Liverpool 7-0, courtesy of a hat-trick from Gabriel.
Expanding further on the style Fletcher’s team plays, Picknett went on to credit the U18s boss for his growing maturity as a coach.
“I think today’s performance showed maturity from Darren Fletcher to understand how to win this game and how to adapt from how he’s approached games in the PL North, where it’s been more focused on relentlessly scoring goals, playing open, fast attacking football,” He continued.
“This game felt a lot more controlled, but there was still kind of fluidity. The players seemed to understand their role as well, and there was a lot of positional fluidity. So, you know, I think so far you can argue he’s doing a great job, especially considering the injuries that have already been in the squad.”
When asked whether he sees shades of the 3-4-2-1 system Amorim’s first team deploys at Old Trafford, Picknett elaborated that Fletcher has his own “unique” style, which he sees as a positive for the young, developing talents at Carrington.
“No, and I think that’s a good thing. I think it’s good that there’s not this onus on the academy teams to reflect what the first team are doing necessarily.
“I think there were certain aspects where obviously they play a back three in possession and some similar shapes that emerged that we see in Rúben Amorim’s first team set-up. Especially early in the game, I think United’s full-backs were playing quite high and wide.
“But overall, I’d say that Darren Fletcher’s style is unique in its own identity, separate from Rúben Amorim, and given the struggles in the first team, I don’t think it’s a bad thing.”
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