Kobbie Mainoo 2.0? Manchester United fans blown away after Academy star’s “stunning” display vs Arsenal U18s

Manchester United fans were blown away following a stunning display from one Academy star during an FA Youth Cup quarter-final victory against Arsenal’s U18s.

Manchester United’s U18s progressed to the FA Youth Cup semi-finals after securing a brilliant 3-2 away win against Arsenal after a hard-fought 120 minutes of football.

United’s Academy lads started the tie off quickly as they flew out of the blocks against Arsenal, although the home side did well in surviving the early onslaught.

However, after 30 minutes, Jack Fletcher was able to hand the visitors a lead with a stunning long-range effort, although Arsenal replied with a few minutes left of the half as Louie Copley scored a lovely dinked effort to see the scores level at half-time.

In the second half, 15-year-old Arsenal midfielder Max Dowman won a penalty after dancing around United’s Reece Munro before converting to hand Arsenal a lead with a little over 30 minutes left to play.

While many thought the tie was over, right-back Jaydan Kamason then hit a stunning strike to draw the game level late on as the sides headed into extra time with the tie at 2-2.

Substitute Bendito Mantato then fired United into the lead with a close-range finish 10 minutes into extra time, and with Arsenal captain Will Sweet being sent off with just minutes remaining for a poor tackle on Kamason, and the visitors saw out the win to secure a place in the FA Youth Cup semi-final.

United fans stunned with Fletcher

While much of the focus will rightly be on the brilliant performance from Kamason, many have come away from the fixture applauding Fletcher for his fantastic performance in North London, with his goal the icing on the cake.

Initially having the ball on his favoured left foot, Fletcher, son of former United midfielder Darren Fletcher, shifted the ball onto his weaker right foot before unleashing a “stunning” strike to hand his side the lead.

Although the game went on for another 30 minutes with extra time. after he was taken off, United fans were quick to praise Fletcher for his fantastic display at the Emirates Stadium on Friday evening.

He controlled United’s tempo in the middle of the park while scoring his stunning effort and is a well-deserved receiver of plaudits from the thrilling fixture.

Fletcher set for first-team chance

Across the first-team squad, there are multiple midfielders who are set to depart in the coming months, which leaves a lot of space for Academy starlets to take their chances.

Christian Eriksen will leave Old Trafford once his contract expires, while many feel as if Casemiro will be moved on once the summer window opens.

Read More: Manchester United expected squad vs Fulham as Patrick Dorgu’s Academy replacements named (FA Cup)

Fletcher has been involved in several first-team matchday squads this season, having been selected by Erik ten Hag, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Rúben Amorim across the last few months.

Although there is no immediate rush to hand Fletcher his debut, it is thought that he is one of the Academy players Amorim is keeping an eye on. It would be a surprise if he did not get minutes with the first-team across pre-season before a competitive debut in 2025/26.

While Toby Collyer has started to break through into the first team, injuries have hampered a lot of his chances, and after watching Kobbie Mainoo’s incredible rise last campaign, United fans may be hoping the Fletcher can impress Amorim and emulate some the Englishman’s brilliance as another midfield talent.

Another midfielder who is set to feature in the coming months is Sekou Kone, with reports from earlier this month stating that Amorim already trusts the 19-year-old and wants to hand him his professional debut before the season ends.

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