Manchester United faced Derby County in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup on Friday night, as Darren Fletcher returned to the dugout.
Darren Fletcher returned to his duties as Under-18s head coach on Friday night as Manchester United U18s faced off against Derby County in their first competitive game of 2026, and Fletcher’s first since his first team interim spell following Rúben Amorim’s sacking.
United dominated the game throughout, but it went to extra time nonetheless. JJ Gabriel and Bendito Mantato were among the dangermen throughout the game, but it was James Overy who caused the first goal. I say caused, as the young Australian merely put a good ball into the box before Luca Crolla turned it into his own goal.
Chido Obi scored just minutes later after pouncing on a loose ball. The former Arsenal forward ran the ball to goal before chipping the goalkeeper with a composed finish. He came close to scoring another very similar effort in the second period of extra time, but it was Derby who converted the third goal of the game. The goal came from a quick break with Cameron Byrne-Hughes caught out after sweeping.
Despite the long wait for the first goal, Gabriel came close to breaking the deadlock in the 19th minute, with a set of skill moves from the left wing following a James Bailey through ball. The 15-year-old took the ball inside, and out, and back in again before getting a shot, forcing a strong save by Cristiano (no, not that one) Dzialuk.
United then took the game by the scruff of the neck, as Obi let rip with a countless number of shots before the halftime whistle, although none were good enough to get past Dzialuk. The Derby keeper came out of the first half with much praise as Fletcher’s side struggled to break the deadlock despite what felt like thousands of chances.
Dzialuk’s brilliance was a trend that continued throughout the game and into extra time. His quick reactions to come off his line were the only reason Godwill Kukonki didn’t net the first of the game in the 95th minute after an excellent solo run.
#1 – Obi needs more minutes
Despite playing a somewhat regular role under Amorim, Obi was moved back to the under-21s team this season, so he could continue his development. However, Gabriele Biancheri’s form has left him without a regular spot in the side – likely the reason behind his start for the U18s in the Youth Cup.
After a corner in the first half, Fletcher could be hurt shouting directly to Obi: “Chido, use your strength!” But perhaps that is the issue.
Obi has always towered above defenders of the same age, meaning he could use his physicality to overpower the opposition. He was always awarded time and space to get his shot off, due to this, something he won’t be afforded if he were to play for Michael Carrick’s first team.
The main thing for Obi for the rest of the campaign has to be playing regular minutes. With Louie Bradbury and Kai Rooney in the U18s, it may be best for the young Dane to look outside Old Trafford for a loan move.
Obi’s goal in the first half of extra time will give him confidence moving forward. If the striker had been sharper going into the game, perhaps he would have come out with two or three.
#2 – Fletcher shows tactical intelligence
This was Fletcher’s first game since moving back down to the U18s setup following his short spell in charge of the senior team.
As he started with against Burnley, Fletcher played a 4-2-3-1 shape that shifted to a 3-2-5 system – a structure very similar to Amorim’s, but there is one key difference. Amorim played Matheus Cunha as the left No.10 and Bryan Mbeumo as the right No.10, a right-footer on the left side and a left-footer on the right, but Fletcher played James Bailey (left-footed) as the left-sided No.10 and Jariyah Shah as the right-sided No.10 (right-footed).
Fletcher was allowed to make the change due to his inverted wingers (Gabriel and Mantato) offering the same balance, but with further unpredictability. Bailey and Shah played a key role in breaking down the Derby low block – something that couldn’t regularly be said in United’s first team matches this season.
His decision to stick with his system proved dividends in the end as United scored two in the first half of extra time – sealing their victory, despite Derby’s late goal.
Perhaps the former Scotland international’s career in management will be longer than the two games in charge of United after all, although Fletcher’s immediate joy will come from progressing into the fifth round.
#3 – Gabriel: A level above
Gabriel was the star of United’s last Youth Cup against Peterborough United. He scored the only goal of the game despite a dominant performance from Fletcher’s side.
The 15-year-old started the game as a left-winger, moving back to his more natural role as a spell at centre-forward with Louie Bradbury and Kai Rooney out injured, and he showed his true class.
United were the much better side throughout the game, especially in the first 45 minutes when they couldn’t break the deadlock. Gabriel continued to create chance after chance through his tricky wing play, but Cristiano Dzialuk continued to deny United’s U18s stars until an Overy cross was turned into the goal by a Derby defender.
While Gabriel wasn’t directly in either goal himself, he played a selfless role throughout the game – creating chance after chance for his teammates until he was taken off in the 115th minute.
#4 – Helafu ready for U21s
Yuel Helafu was not a name familiar to many before the beginning of the season. In fact, most fans of the academy weren’t aware until his impressive performance against Barnsley’s first team in the FA Trophy.
Since then, he has mainly featured for the U18s, with Jacob Devaney and Jayden Kamason occupying the right-back spot for Travis Binnion’s U21s. With James Overy, who recently returned from the Asia Cup with Australia, also in the U18s, it could be time for at least one to earn a promotion.
Kamason has impressed fans of the academy, but he’s only recently returned from injury. Perhaps if he can prove his fitness before the end of January, he could be loaned out to a lower league side like fellow right-back Habeeb Ogunneye at the start of the campaign.
Helafu offers a different profile to Kamason, as he likes to invert into midfield and impress with his consistency, rather than with outrageous dribbling or dangerous passes through the middle. The young right-back even moved into midfield when Rafe McCormack made way for James Overy before the end of the 90 minutes before moving to left-back just minutes later.
A step up could be exactly the challenge he needs to continue his development.
#5 – The missing men
United were without Amir Ibragimov and Jim Thwaites due to injury for their second Youth Cup game of the season. The former played a crucial role in the win against Peterborough United in the third round in late December, as he captained the side.
While United continued to break down the Derby defence, they often lacked the know-how to move the ball quickly, catching out the Rams before they could drop into their low block.
Thwaites, as a deep-lying playmaker, would’ve been crucial for Fletcher. Ibragimov, though, could’ve been the real difference maker – the young Mancunian often finds himself on the end of cutbacks on the edge of the box for the U21s, exactly what Fletcher was missing in attacking midfield on Friday.
The game could’ve been over much quicker if the two starmen had been available.
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