Category Archives: U23 Squad

Man Utd U23s Take On Derby U23s Friday

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Man Utd's Amad Diallo

Man Utd U23s resume their season on Friday when they travel to Derby to face the Rams’ U23s in a Premier League 2 matchup.

It has been an up and down season for the young Red Devils, but they went into the international break on a high-note, beating Leeds’ U23s by a score of 3-2. Two great goals from Amad Diallo, the winner in the final minutes of the match, was the difference.

“He comes down here, works and helps the team. He was brilliant. The little glimpses of excellence that he shows are unbelievable,” said Man Utd U23s head coach Neil Wood when speaking to MUTV.

Amad might not be in the side against Derby, the recent injury of Paul Pogba, Raphael Varane injured and the recent woes with wingers in the attacking third, Amad might make the bench for Watford.

It would be safe to let him play against the worst side in PL2. Even if he makes the bench against Watford, he might not play. Watford is a good game for someone like Jadon Sancho or Mason Greenwood to get minutes especially if United could retain the ball, where their individual styles seem more suited for.

Man Utd U23s PL 2 Season

The month of October epitomized the high and lows for the U23s this season. Two fantastic 3-0 victories against Liverpool and Blackburn were followed up by a huge 6-0 defeat to West Ham and a 1-0 defeat to Spurs.

Anthony Elanga and Shola Shoretire each scored goals in the victories over Liverpool and Blackburn. Amad’s brace sandwiched a Charlie McNeil goal versus Leeds. Man Utd have a plethora of attacking talent in their academy at the moment.

Despite having good attacking talent, they only have 18 goals this season compared to Arsenal’s U23s who have the most with 32, half the league has scored more. United have given up 20 goals this season, the 5th best out of 14 teams.

Derby, despite being last in the league with only 6 points have a slightly better defense, giving up one less goal. They do not score much, they are tied for last in the league with 15 goals. They do not lose by much, they are competitive regardless of their current standings and could give Man Utd some trouble.

Still, Man Utd U23s should get the job done against Derby. The match will be live on MUTV Friday evening.

Shola Shoretire’s Brace Helps End Man Utd’s U-23s Losing Streak By Easily Defeating Chelsea’s U-23s

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Man Utd U-23s defeated Chelsea U-23s in a Premier League 2 matchup, 4-2. Shola Shoretire scored a brace and Chelsea’s U-23s were forced to 10 men early in the game and never recovered.

Amad made a surprising return to the U-23 side after being a frequent member of the Man Utd first team squad. He could still be on the bench for the Sunday game against Leeds. Brandon Williams also started for the U-23 side, both needed some minutes.

Chelsea started the scoring in the 6th minute, a long through ball over the top got in behind the Man Utd defense and a Brandon Williams sliding challenge was not enough and the ball rolled awkwardly in.

The game took a dramatic turn in the 14th minute when the Chelsea keeper handled the ball outside the box after a ball over the top of the Chelsea’s defense played in Amad.

The Chelsea keeper looked to have gotten away without punishment, but the ref showed red and Chelsea were forced early to play with 10 men.

Shola Shoretire leveled the game before half-time when he turned well in the box to find space, his left footed shot found the back of the net, it was his seventh goal in PL2 this season.

The game looked to be going into half-time leveled at 1-1, but Shola Shoretire did well again after receiving the ball in the box, Shoretire kept his composure and blazed the ball passed the Chelsea keeper making it 2-1 going into the half.

Chelsea were forced to catch Man Utd on the break or during set pieces while Man Utd pushed for a third goal. Chelsea were still dangerous at times and could have tied the game but Charlie Wellens cleared the ball off the line.

Shola Shoretire won a penalty in the 65th minute, but instead of going for the hat trick, Hannibal stepped up to take the penalty only to have it saved by the Chelsea keeper.

Amad curled in a beautiful free-kick in the 70th minute to put the game out of reach, but it would wind up as the game winning goal.

Shola Shoretire had a great match for Man Utd and should have had his hat trick but missed a wide-open header in the 74th minute. Shola Shoretire was subbed off for the last 15 minutes after tacking a couple of knocks, he played well as the number 9 for United.

Mark Helm scored the fourth goal for the young Red Devils when he converted a low cross from close range with his left in the 81st minute. Helm did well to re-direct the cross into the bottom corner.

The U-23s have two games left in their PL 2 campaign, they next face Derby on the 3rd of May.

3 Players Manchester United Should Loan This Summer

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Manchester United have around 14 players out on loan after they recently sent Connor Stanley to MLS side Atlanta United. The Jesse Lingard loan has exceeded everyones expectations and Diogo Dalot has impressed and could have another chance at Manchester United.

The Red Devils have some good prospects in their youth academy that are fringe squad players that could use another step up in competition. James Garner has benefitted immensely from his loan year and was in that same range in the squad, too good for the youth teams but not good enough for the squad.

Brandon Williams

Brandon Williams is an exciting young prospect still despite making his first-team debut in September 2019, the young fullback has 19 appearances for Manchester United. The 20-year-old from Manchester is in a tough situation at Old Trafford.

Luke Shaw has been phenomenal this season, Alex Telles is the back up left back and Aaron Wan-Bissaka is holding down right back. Williams has come on as a back up right back but is naturally a left back. He could continue his role as a back up right back but the club could take a look at Diogo Dalot after his successful loan at AC Milan.

The passionate Brandon Williams needs first-team minutes and a team getting promoted or another Premier League club can secure Williams on loan. Williams will be better suited in the Premier League because he has experience in the league already, the Championship is always likely but not necessary due to his experience.

Axel Tuanzebe

Probably the least likeliest of this list to go out on loan but it could be a decent possibility. Manchester United look set to sign a center back this summer and if they do not get rid of Eric Bailly or Victor Lindelof that could leave Axel Tuanzebe out.

Manchester United could even bring in two center backs this summer if that happens it is going to be tough for Tuanzebe to get any minutes. Axel Tuanzebe is still young but too old for youth team football and had a successful loan spell at Derby County a couple seasons back.

His versatility could also be handy, he can be used as a defensive midfielder as well. If Tuanzebe gets forced out a loan to another Premier League club could be likely and next summer he can be reassessed. Tuanzebe still has a future at Manchester United but he needs playing time.

Hannibal Mejbri

Hannibal Mejbri has been so close to making his Manchester United first-team debut but some injuries and a lot of competitive games have not allowed that. Second place can wrapped up soon for United and players could get debuts in the last couple of games of the season.

Hannibal Mejbri has 3 goals and 5 assists for the U-23 team this season and a loan could help continue the development of the young Frenchman. Joe Hugil, Charlie McNeil and Mejbri are all young and are likely to stay put in the U-23 side but a loan is still a good experience for a young player.

The tall playmaker seems to have the athleticism it takes to play in France, the Championship or even League One. It would be hard for another Premier League club to guarantee Hannibal minutes. League One seems safe but some Championship clubs might want his service.

Talented Young Forwards

It will be interesting to see what Manchester United will also do with some of their impressive young forwards: Shola Shoretire, Anthony Elanga and Amad Diallo will fight for positions in the squad. United have a lot of depth at forward and one of these youngsters could get loaned out.

Diallo is the least likely and could feature a lot for United next season. It will be interesting how Manchester United address the position in the summer with all these good young prospects in the squad.

Manchester United Loanee James Garner Impresses Again, Scores Second Goal for Nottingham Forest

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Manchester United loanee James Garner had another impressive performance again today against Cardiff City in the Championship, scoring his second goal for Nottingham Forest.

The goal came in the 29th minute when Cyrus Christie crossed in a low and hard ball that found James Garner in the box. It was an emphatic finish from the young Englishman.

James Garner was on loan to Watford in the beginning of the Championship season, but had his loan terminated and then loaned back out to Nottingham Forest.

It has been a disappointing season for Forest after missing out on the playoffs on the final day last season. Forest brought in some good players in the summer but recently James Garner has easily been one of the more impressive players at the City Ground.

James Garner recently spoke to the Man United website about his role in the Forest side and his future as a midfielder, especially in the defensive midfielder role under Chris Hughton.

“I like to see everything in front of me – runs and players popping into pockets, things like that. I like to be on the ball as much as I can and be the one who makes the passes and who makes the goals. It’s something I am really enjoying, sitting there and dictating the play. It’s good.”

The emergence of James Garner in the Championship is a healthy one for Man United. Nemanja Matic is getting old, he is 32, Scott McTominay might be more of an 8 than a 6 and Fred is definitely an 8.

In the 4-2-3-1, the midfielders are asked to do both, to be 8’s and 6’s. Both Fred and McTominay have played well this season and going into next season Garner can provide extra depth. It also a huge plus that he is an academy graduate with the current monetary limitations clubs are facing.

Harry Maguire, Axel Tuanzebe and Daniel James have all featured and performed well in the Championship and it looks like James Garner might be set to join them in the first team soon if he keeps impressing.

No hannibal Debut for a month; Galbraith could get another Dream opportunity

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HANNIBAL MEJBRI

During yesterdays press conference with Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer it was revealed that Hannibal Mejbri will be out for a month due to an injury he sustained playing for the reserves.

It was no guarantee that Hannibal would have featured heavily against Real Sociedad or not. Jose Mourinho elected to use a pretty solid side against Wolfsberger in the Europa League despite and even subbed on Lucas Moura with the tie comfortably sealed.

But, it could have been a good opportunity for Mejbri to make a debut and challenge for minutes in a banged up midfield. Paul Pogba is out for another month or so and Scott McTominay has been injured recently his absence being more cautious and less severe than Pogba’s injury.

ETHAN GALBRAITH

Ethan Galbraith has not featured for United’s first team since a defeat in 2019 against Astana in the Europa League and has been playing with an U23 side that currently sit 5th in Premier League 2.

Galbraith was recently placed on the Europa League squad fueling speculation that he could feature in todays game against Sociedad.

It will be interesting to see if he gets an opportunity versus Sociedad tonight, but just being around the first could be a huge confidence for Galbraith going forward in his career.

Shoretire Debuts; Hannibal Next?

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Yesterday, Manchester United youth product Shola Shoretire came on in the 89th minute of a 3-1 victory, making his first team debut. The 17-year-old is the 240th academy product to make his senior debut.

It was revealed by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer over a week ago that Shoretire as well as French midfielder Hannibal Mejbri have been training with the first team after impressing with the U23 team. 

Hannibal

Hannibal was signed by Manchester United on August 2019 for nearly €10 million from AS Monaco at just 16-years-old 

Hannibal has 3 goals and 4 assists this season for the U23 team and featured in a fixture for the U21 team against Salford City in the Football League Trophy. Mejbri opened the scoring in a 6-0 rout. 

Europa League

Last week United took care of Real Sociedad 4-0 setting up an interesting match at Old Trafford. This could be where we see Hannibal make his first team debut. 

Hannibal featuring is very likely, surely Solskjaer would hand minutes to the Frenchman as well as youth teammates Amad Diallo and Shola Shoretire. 

Would do you like to see more youth in the second game against Sociedad?