I was very tempted to get across to South Yorkshire tonight to watch the United U21’s take on Rotherham United in the EFL leasing.com Trophy. Unfortunately I just couldn’t get across there in time after work so I just watched it on a MUTV live stream.
Gutted not to make it to the AESSEAL New York Stadium, as I never managed to get to Rotherham’s old Millmoor Ground either, nor The Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield when they played there for a few years.
No Mason Greenwood in the side either, so do we take it that he’ll be in the first-team squad against Chelsea on Sunday? I reckon there is certainly a good chance especially with Lukaku currently AWOL in Belgium.
Starting: Kovar; Laird, Bernard, O’Connor, Williams; Garner, Levitt; Ramazani, Gomes (c), Chong; Mellor.
Subs: Fojticek, Ercolani, Tanner, Galbraith, McGhee, Puigmal, Traore
I’m sure both Gomez and Chong will get more chances as well with the first-team, but I suppose in the long run games against good pros at Rotherham will be good for them going forward. I’d certainly be happy for them to be in the first team squad and getting gradual match time off the bench, especially with all the pace they have.
However, getting 90 minutes in these type of games, rather than say just 10 minutes off the bench is definitely better for them currently. Long may it continue and they keep performing like they did tonight, along with all the other lads.
Both new manager Neil Wood and his assistant Quinton Fortune should be very happy with United’s performance tonight as it was full of endeavour and work rate from pretty much all of the lads. Against a Rotherham side that is still low on confidence after finishing twenty-second in The Championship last season and of course relegated to League One.
Both teams had chances in the first-half and it was a relatively quick but even game for the most part of it with players on both sides suffering from a lack of finishing. That is something Wood will certainly want his players to improve, but thankfully it did later on in the game.
Matej Kovar in the United goal kept United in the game ten minutes into the second-half though when he made a fantastic one handed save down to his left as he tipped the ball around his far post. Mellor then missed a great chance himself to give United the lead when he screwed his shot wide after he had more time than he thought.
Chong was threatening all night with his pace but it was hit great cross into the middle Rotherham’s box that caused confusion that lead to us taking the lead. When no one on the end of his cross, Rotherham headed it clear but straight to Williams who was just outside the area. He took one touch to control it and then slid a drilled pass through to Laird, who took a touch himself and then smashed it across Price in the Rotherham goal and into the side of the net. 1-0 United on 69 minutes.
@LRamazani88 makes it 2-0 #MUFCu21 pic.twitter.com/XLiMt5gv06
— Alex Nield 🇾🇪 (@famousalexnield) August 6, 2019
It was a well deserved lead at the time and just four minutes late we made it 2-0 as James Garner hit a wonderful 60 yard pass over the top into the path Ramazani. He ran onto it, cut inside, looked to hit it but then took an extra in touch and the chance seemed to have gone. However, with their defenders now all in front of him and in front of their goal he cut his left-footed shot back across goal and into the bottom corner.
It was a good game overall, with Laird, Gomez and Chong standing out for me in front of the 3,105 crowd that was there to watch it, including 435 United fans I think it said. If those young United lads keep performing then surely first team chances will come for sure. Well played tonight!
https://twitter.com/ryan10mufc/status/1158829606864138241
Catch Manchester United U23s at Leigh Sports Village
United U23s v Reading, Friday 16th August, 7pm
Excitement is building for a new look Manchester United U23s side, under new lead coach Neil Wood and his assistant Quinton Fortune. Their first home game is on Friday 16th August at 7pm against Reading and once again it’s absolutely free to see the stars of tomorrow!
As in previous seasons, if you like you can just turn up at Leigh Sports Village and enjoy the action.
But they do advise you to register your interest for each game by clicking on the box below. That way, they can tell you about team news, competitions to win signed United merchandise and of course any fixture changes or new games.
Please note the Red Zone Café is not open for this game. Turnstiles and kiosks are open from 6pm.
Prices:
FREE ENTRY
click here to register
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