John Peters
On Saturday, the season for the U18 team started, and they continued where they left off, namely with a victory
Manchester United’s U18 team kicked off the season with an away match against Manchester City, in the first official game after the U18 team secured the Premier League U18 title last season.
Now that is forgotten, and a new season is underway for a new U18 team. Several of the “stars” of last year’s U18 team have stepped up to the U21 level, and some of them were also with the first team on the USA tour this summer.
Elyh Harrison, Harry Amass, James Nolan, Finlay McAllister, and Ethan Wheatley were all key players in Adam Lawrence’s squad last season, but are either too old or have already moved up from the U18 level.
However, that did not seem to dampen what we can expect from the youngest in the academy this season.
After a goalless first half, where United still created the two biggest chances, the Reds broke the deadlock early in the second half.
Gabriele Biancheri gave United the lead after 51 minutes when he slid the ball into the net from five meters after a brilliant United attack with combinations between Mantato and Fletcher.
Shortly after, Mantato was on the spot and increased it to 2-0 after he side-footed the ball into the net from 10 meters following a cross from Zach Baumann.
United won 2-0, starting the season in the best possible way!
Manchester City 0-2 (0-0) Manchester United
Premier League U18 North
Academy Stadium, Manchester
GOALS: 0-1 Gabriele Biancheri (51), 0-2 Bendito Mantato (58)
Yellow cards: William Murdock (80), Gabriele Biancheri (86)
United: William Murdock – Jaydan Kamason, Daniel Armer, Jayce Fitzgerald, Godwill Kukonki (Dante Plunkett, 89) – Jacob Devaney, Zach Baumann, Tyler Fletcher (Jim Thwaites, 71) – Bendito Mantato, James Scanlon (Amir Ibragimov, 78), Gabriele Biancheri
Substitutes.: Cameron Byrne-Hughes, Albert Mills
FINISHED
58 min: GOAL! Bendito Mantato doubles the lead! The 16-year-old side-foots the ball into the net from close range.
51 min: GOAL! Gabriele Biancheri puts United in the lead! A beautiful attack by United started by Mantato, who plays Fletcher free out on the right. The midfielder shoots the ball towards the goal where Biancheri is waiting like a true goal-getter and slides the ball over the line to give United the lead!
42 min: United close again. Kukoni carries the ball forward from a defensive position before releasing Fletcher, who tries to place the ball into the far corner from 10 meters, but the shot lacks power and is easily handled by City’s keeper.
17 min: United attacks, and Biancheri is skillfully played through by Fletcher and shoots from a tight angle, but hits the side netting.
1 min: The season is underway!