Unseen Manchester United Academy star puts in “wonderful” performance vs Wolves, replacing Chido Obi

Manchester United’s Under-18s side won 2-1 against Wolves’ youth team in a tight clash on Tuesday evening at Carrington.

While the first-team at Manchester United continue to have issues under Ruben Amorim, the Academy remain an exciting outlet for many supporters.

After the Under-18s won three trophies last term, they have continued their impressive form this season despite the constant team changes which are inevitable in youth football.

It is not unusual to see 16-year-olds being tested in the Under-18s, or sometimes even in the Under-21s, and some of the most talented prospects are well-known before they even start playing for either of those teams.

Bradbury one of United’s exciting prospects

That has been the case with 16-year-old Louie Bradbury, who scored 40 goals in all competitions for United’s youth sides last season.

Interestingly, Bradbury made his debut for the Under-21s before appearing for Adam Lawrence’s Under-18s side. He came off the bench in a 4-0 win over Altrincham in the National League Cup in November last year.

The young striker would eventually make his Under-18s bow in late January, where he was a second-half substitute against Wolves in the reverse fixture. He came off the bench again the following week versus Preston North End in the FA Youth Cup.

In early February, Bradbury unfortunately missed his spot-kick in a penalty shootout defeat against West Ham in the U18s Premier League Cup. Yet, he responded four days later by netting a hat-trick for the Under-16s in a 5-3 win over Liverpool.

Bradbury stars on United U18s full debut

Due to the first-team needing players like Chido Obi and Jack Fletcher, there have been opportunities within the Academy setup for players to step up a level and Bradbury was given the chance to lead the line from the start for the Under-18s for the first time on Tuesday evening.

After smashing the crossbar early on in the game, the Welsh Under-17s international grabbed his first goal at the level shortly before half-time, sweeping home a low cross into the far corner in “wonderful” fashion to give Lawrence’s side the lead in the game.

United’s young side continued to probe the Wolves defence in the second half but struggled to find a second goal. Gabriele Biancheri put the ball in the back of the net but the goal was controversially ruled for offside.

Bradbury made way for Victor Musa midway through the second half and United grabbed a vital winning goal 10 minutes from time through an own-goal. Bradbury would have been pleased with his first start for the Under-18s.

With Obi likely to remain in and around the first-team for the rest of the season, and Biancheri moving up to the Under-21s, it seems like Bradbury could be set to get important minutes in the Under-18s in the back-end of the season.

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