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unitedbydevils · 3 days

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Match Review: Manchester City U18s 1-2 Manchester United U18s

MANCHESTER IS RED (go with it)

When United are mint, everything is mint, and fuck me are United's Under-18s mint - and also double winners. Up the fucking reds!

United started strongly at Leigh Sports Village, with a driving run and fizzing shot from Ethan Williams in the 3rd minute testing City keeper Brits. Three minutes later and Ruben Curley was doing the exact same again, but to no avail. Then, one minute later, magic happened.

A deep ball from just over the halfway line by Nolan lofted into Ethan Wheatley's path perfectly, but the touch and control to bring it down into a shooting action was technique Dimitar Berbatov would have applauded. Unreal composure and confidence, and topped off with a great finish at the near post past the stunned Brits.

City came back at United, and the game opened up into more of a back-and-forth affair, trading shots on goal, but United's organisation kept a very tight defensive structure and limited the Citizens from any real threat on Elyh Harrison's goal - not that the wunderkind needs too much help. Kid's a future star keeper.

The middle of the half approached and Harrison punts a goal kick up field towards RW James Scanlon. The Gibraltan international nods the ball wide to attacking full back James Nolan, who drives a curled pass forward along the ground into the path of Ethan Wheatley. A defender slides, he knocks it, but Wheatley has the pace. He nips in, rounds the keeper, slots home. 2-0 United and LSV is in bits. SCENES.

City kept up the battle though, and a great killer through ball nearly opened United up in the 34th minute but for a huge body interception and block by Harrison in net. City captain Heskey was potentially fouled in the United box by Jack Kingdon - no foul given though - but otherwise come half time there could be no complaints at United's lead.

The second half was more City, with United making substitutes for rotation's sake but also due to the dearth of depth in the first team squad meaning certain promising youngsters have been requested by Erik Ten Hag for Wednesday's Premier League game against Sheffield United.

Both sides had reasonable chances on goal but nothing too serious until Stephen Mfuni nodded home from a corner to give City five minutes of hope... which was almost realised but for a fantastic full-stretch save by Harrison off Alfa-Ruprecht's header.

City's play and persistence did deserve a goal, and with the arguable penalty in the first half, on another day it could have been a different affair. It is nice to see the best two teams make the final though, and make it a memorable contest.

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It's the result that matters though, and the silverware is ours. The league and now the cup. What a bunch of lads.

Two games remain this season - both at home. Sunderland visit us this Saturday, and then there's one last game versus Everton on May 4th. Lets end strong. GGMU.

#manchester united #man u #man united #man utd #manchester reds #leigh sports village #manchester united u18s #manchester city u18s #stephen mfuni #ethan wheatley #ethan williams #james nolan #james scanlon #elyh harrison #jack fletcher #ruben curley #gabriele biancheri #u18s league cup final #Youtube

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unitedbydevils · 5 days

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Match Review: Manchester United Women 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur Women

In what was dubbed a dress rehearsal for the Women's FA Cup Final on May 12th, United and Spurs managed to share the spoils - for now - but there were positive signs for United if they can sharpen up on goal.

Stats are a lovely tool to have, adding flavour to any match report and game analysis, and the stats - as shown below - point out two things: United were the side in control, and United should have won the game.

United's backline were instantly put under pressure in the first 30 seconds but United woke up and got a good footing in the game. Ella Toone came accidentally close in the 9th minute, trying to find Leah Galton at back post, but it was Melvine Malard who opened the scoring with a beautiful header off a millimetre perfect free kick from deep by Gemma Evans; lofted with the utmost precision for Malard to nod over the approaching Spurs keeper Becky Spencer.

Tottenham countered quickly with Naz and Vinberg - a sign of things to come - but were held off, and as quickly as they hit United, United hit back. Pressure onto Neville saw Naalsund pick up a loose ball outside the box, quick pass to Malard, pivot, shot, and then in the scramble between Spencer, Parris and Nilden, a free kick was given against United.

Poor positioning cost United for the equaliser, with a deep Spurs cross cleared out only as far as Spence. A scuffed volley bobbled the ball through to Beth England for an easy tap home past an aghast Mary Earps, but it was Maya Le Tissier - fresh from her contract signing - that stood out of sync with the rest of the defence and failed to play the offside trap. Frustrating.

United's second goal conceded was in similarly silly circumstances; Mary Earps screaming at Aoife Mannion to chase the loose ball, Mannion presuming Mearps has it, and Tottenham's Vinberg strolling in to play the ball into the box. Le Tissier covered well, with Mannion filling her void in CB momentarily, but wizardry from striker Jess Naz spun captain Katie Zelem and fizzed in a shot straight above Mary Earps' head. Poor from the keeper, poor from Zel, and poor from nearby Tooney who could have easily pressured Naz from that close range with a sprint to jostle. Maybe she was worried about giving away a penalty, but someone should have closed Naz down and forced her to choose the wider path towards a waiting Gemma Evans or to back off outside the box. A communication issue no doubt, given no Jayde Riviere or Hannah Blundell starting.

Blundell on for Mannion at half time made sense, and the second half saw more intensity and aggression from United; with far more crossing to pressure the Spurs defence in the air now that Blundell was on. 55th minute subs introduced both Lucia Garcia for Nikita Parris and Rach Williams for Melvine Malard, but the United couldn't quite find the net. Further subs in the 76th saw Miyazawa on for Toone and Geyse on for Galton, but it took a Gemma Evans corner in the 91st minute to find Rach Williams, the bar, bounce back out, and be crashed into by Maya Le Tissier to even the game up and give United a very much deserved point at Leigh Sports Village.

There will be frustration at United's failure to convert the oh-so-many chances in the second half, but the turnaround in United's style was a good sight to see, and on another day (say, the FA Cup final?) maybe several goals went in and this was a comfortable win rather than a consolation point. --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- The disappointment doesn't end there though. Fans will also be concerned at the potential departure of United's tenacious Spaniard Lucia Garcia, whose contract is close to expiring and - based on Instagram - might not be renewed/extended.

And how we will miss her humour, as well as that unquestionable hard work on the field, if she does leave us. Another huge mistake from Manchester United Football Club if so.

Only three games remain in the WSL; Leicester away, Liverpool away, and Chelsea at Old Trafford - before which comes the FA Cup Final at Wembley. It's going to be a difficult few weeks, but the hottest fires produce the strongest steel...

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unitedbydevils · 6 days

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Match Review: Coventry City 3-3 Manchester United (2-4 on penalties)

It's a game of two halves... unless you're Man Utd then it's a game of four halves and penalties because YOU BOTTLED A THREE NIL FUCKING LEAD \skjgvblrkehdbkvbrzd dickheads.

For all people think hey, United were 2-0 up at half time... the game didn't start particularly well. It was slow to the point of being irritating, because these are professional footballers and I think me at 34 with asthma, a ligament injury, and the need to lose 2 stone in weight could probably have pressed the fuckers.

That said, United took an early lead through Scott McTominay moments later because the man who has no positional discipline will always lose himself, and thus any marker, to crash into the box and bang in a true poacher's finish. Shame he does fuck all else.

We then doubled our lead late in the first half through a banger Harry Maguire header from a corner. Everything was going well...

Maguire, in fairness, had a very good game (bar one whopper pass to Coventry for absolutely no fucking reason). A goal was well earned and he did his job well overall. Strong in the air, robust in challenges and duels, and didn't go to ground willy-nilly ala Casemiro. Nice. I will say that he's a big part of our issues on the ball, because he's not a ball-playing CB. He's too slow to take touches and make decisions. The way round this is to partner him with a ball-player (Casemiro) and a good receiver with mobility/agility/scanning (Mainoo) which is why things worked until Mainoo went off. Then it was Eriksen (ruh roh) which forces passes to... Casemiro (slow), AWB (out of position), Eriksen (slow), McTominay (oh wait he's not where he should be).

The problem is that United then went and bagged a third in the second half, a deflected effort from Bruno, and we're thinking fuck... this could be a rout. United haven't given a team a good slapping in a while.

LOL only joking. Sub off our one disciplined midfielder in Mainoo, on comes Christian 'No Legs' Eriksen (why the fuck is McTominay still on?), and then watch as our game control jumps out the fucking window. Unreal.

Don't get me wrong, Eriksen is a smart player - ala Juan Mata - but legs matter at this level. He hasn't got them. He can't be a passenger in our team. In a Man City side, sure. He'd be the right football intelligence and Pep would use his squad depth and talent to compensate for the inclusion. Manchester United ain't that dog.

Cue the comeback of all comebacks.

Then Coventry got a second. The crowd is FERVENT.

THEN THEY FUCKING EQUALISED LADS.

Extra time rolled around and honestly, either side could have won it; Bruno cracked a shot off the underside of the bar and back out - nice - and then Coventry ran all over us for a while until it was time for penalties.

Erik Ten Hag has my support in principle, but his in-game management is really hard to defend because he's treating decisions as if there's no consequence. I don't mean that in the sense of job loss, I mean in the sense of game change. Antony on did fuck all. Eriksen on did fuck all. McTominay bar a goal did fuck all (but he scored - fuck off, he just floats around aimlessly, bellend).

Then, late into the tie, on comes Amad for a seemingly injured Rashford. He then proceeds to dribble better and make better movement and create more space than any of our other wide men. Nice. Maybe sub him on earlier?

So yes, penalties. Up steps Casemiro and... wow. He really did that. Hand in your boots, your Carrington ID, and don't come in for work. Take it as garden leave and just chill until we sell you in the summer, you useless mercenary prick.

Luckily, our other penalty takers in Dalot, Eriksen, Bruno and Hojlund all know how to score, and Onana was able to save one whilst the Sky Blues captain aimed for the sky as he blazed his take over. United win 4-2 and go through to the final. Cue every United fan old and young proceeding to search for more spirits to drink than is legally safe in the strained hope of blotting this from our collective memories because FUCK ME WAS THAT POOR.

You can blame ETH for his poor subs and not respecting that Coventry > our squad depth. I can and I did. But you also have to recognise that players being shit is on them. Antony should be tearing Coventry a new arsehole. Same for Rashford. McTominay should own that midfield. Hojlund missed a sitter, the sausage (I can't hate my boy, not yet).

I feel sorry for the fans. I feel sorry for the chap above most of all. Imagine making that effort to see what he saw. We won, we're into a final, it's another City v United derby at Wembley, and it was another all-time memorable tie for United... but fuck me that was painful and embarrassing.

For Sir Jim watching, surely even he can see the problems? No LB, no ball playing CB (Case really doesn't count), no true RW, no alternate CF, no midfield pivot, no fucking clue.

I'm not entirely sure United's players are dense and clueless morons, mind. I think most of them are weak-minded; they let the fear takeover and their heads drop too easily and they should be at "lesser" clubs where the pressure's off a bit - like Andreas Pereira at Fulham. Took a step down, now he's flourishing. Some people aren't cut out for the limelight, and it seems most of United's squad fit the bill there. Another rebuild is needed, but maybe INEOS can do what others couldn't before them...

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unitedbydevils · 6 days

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Match Review: Tottenham Hotspur U21s 2-2 Manchester United U21s

A dominant home side couldn't overturn a plucky United. Hehehe.

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United's average age, as the video says, is just over 18. Outbound loans mean some are still at the club, some are brought up from the U18s to test their mettle and show their worth.

Despite that, United put up a good fight here away at Tottenham. Spurs had the lion's share of possession, but otherwise these were two very evenly matched sides.

Lankshear opened the scoring, unmarked deep in the box off a cross, before Curley evened things up with a hard drilled shot across goal from distance.

Biancheri then put United in front 7 minutes later thanks to a bit of weaving from Ethan Williams and a deft cross into his path, but a weird moment of controversy saw United pegged back by Donley. Weird, because Dermot Mee clashed with Santiago, and then fell over the potentially injured player in the box for Donley to loop and lob a finish into the net.

The second half was still quite end to end, but with a touch more composure in possession and a bit missing in terms of chance creation and finishing. Neither side will be happy with a draw, but truth be told it was a fair result on the day.

Next up for United are Forest away, before the season rounds out away to Southampton. Both sides flank United by one point, and two wins here might spare our blushes given just how mid-table we are right now...

#manchester united u21s #tottenham hotspur u21s #gabriele biancheri #dermot mee #ruben curley #Youtube

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unitedbydevils · 6 days

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Match Review: Wolverhampton Wanderers U18s 1-2 Manchester United U18s

CHAMPIONS

In a hard-fought game, Gabi Biancheri struck twice to give United the three points needed to secure the league title for the young reds.

The first half saw all the drama, with Biancheri's first an easy side foot finish from a low, squared pass across the box in the 11th minute.

Wolves pulled level in the 19th thanks to Connor McLeod - unmarked on the cutback to rifle home the equaliser.

United then went and did a rinse-and-repeat of the first goal, with Scanlon teeing up a sliding finish from a matter of inches off the goal line for Biancheri to put United back in front.

The final bit of drama came in the 34th minute, with a clash between Wolves defender Patterson and United keeper Elyh Harrison saw the game paused for almost 10 minutes whilst the goalie received treatment to his knee and was carefully stretchered off for further medical assessment.

Thomas Myles subbed on in his stead and held firm in goal despite good Wolves pressure at the end of the half and early in the second. Beyond that, the second half was very end to end with little end product - an entertaining but ultimately fruitless affair but one that United won't mind, being crowned champions come the final whistle.

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Next up is the league cup final versus Manchester City on Tuesday. Another shot at silverware so soon...

#manchester united #man u #man united #man utd #manchester reds #manchester united u18s #gabriele biancheri #elyh harrison #wolverhampton wanderers u18s #wolves u18s #wolverhampton wanderers #Youtube

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unitedbydevils · 13 days

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Match Review: Manchester United U21s 0-3 Liverpool U21s

No. Go away. I don't want to talk about it.

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Alright fine, I'll say a few words.

United and Liverpool held a respectful silence for the Hillsborough Disaster, which occurred on April 15, 1989.

Liverpool are 5th following this win, and United are 14th. Had United won, Liverpool would be 8th, United 11th, and just three points in it. There's no major gulf, but United this season have repeatedly narrowly missed out in games like this, repeatedly slipping rungs down the league table.

Liverpool opened the game brightly and had a good chance inside the first minute, and again around the 16th minute mark. United's defence was at 6s and 7s, but Charlie McNeill had an effort on goal from mere centimetres over the halfway line to try and beat the Liverpool keeper on the edge of his box. Narrowly tipped over... what could have been.

Trent Kone-Doherty got Liverpool's opener in the 23rd minute, but it came from a catalogue of mistakes; Oyedele's poor backpass intercepted by Danns. Aljofree losing Danns. The rebound falling to TKD - whom LB Murray was nowhere near to stop the goal. Little things, youth errors admittedly, but mistakes that are the difference between having that chance at promotion to the first team squad or being loaned out and eventually sold on to lower league levels.

Similarly to the Brighton game, United did have more of the possession, though on this occasion they were far more effective on goal - just without actually scoring. United went in at the break 1-0 down, clearly had a good half-time talking to, and then came out second half in near-full control. So of course, Liverpool's pace and guile allowed for two counter attacks, two goals, an unreal 3rd for Danns off the backheel, and three points in the bag for the Scousers. Sigh.

Next up Spuds away, Saturday 20th.

#manchester united #manchester united u21s #liverpool u21s #jayden danns #sam murray #Youtube

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unitedbydevils · 13 days

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Match Review: Manchester United U21s 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion U21s

A frustrating draw for United's U21s in a game that saw the Red Devils highly wasteful on goal and Ruairi McConville score at both ends for the Albion.

United looked great in possession for the first 20 minutes but with nothing to show for it, and as they eased off the possession to take more chances it was Brighton who looked more likely to score.

The team pressed on though, and a Harry Amass cross low and hard into the heart of the box was slid home by Brighton centre-back Ruairi McConville to give United a cheeky lead just before half time.

The second half was more of the same, though Harry Amass once again stood out on the offensive. There's talk of him progressing through to the first team like Mainoo and Kambwala, and it's not hard to see why - although part of me wonders if he may do a Gareth Bale and move more to a left winger, or at least maybe an attacking wing back like Jeromie Frimpong at Leverkusen.

Another shining light for United's U21s at the moment is Amir Ibragimov; a youngster who started as an inside forward on the left wing ala Rashford but has now moved more centrally as an attacking mid or even deep forward. Ibragimov's give-and-go style and intelligent positioning made life hard for Brighton, and he was unlucky not to score.

The draw was earned back by Brighton defender Ruairi McConville though, who atoned for his earlier mistake by scoring off a corner. His header down at the floor was actually saved by Myles, but the rebound fell back at McConville's feet for a second attempt and an easy tap in.

Brighton could have stolen the points in the 94th minute, and United could have stolen them in the 96th, but all in all a draw isn't an unfair result.

United's U21s will always suffer a little due to the (correct) pursuit of loan deals for youth players. When the talent stays (U18s), the academy dominates, so it's not too disheartening to see the U21s misfire here and there.

That said, next up for United is a tough home tie against Liverpool...

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#manchester united #manchester united u21s #charlie mcneill #amir ibragimov #harry amass #ruairi mcconville #brighton and hove albion u21s #Youtube

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unitedbydevils · 14 days

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Match Review: Bournemouth 2-2 Manchester United

You'd think on the day that Newcastle just stuffed Spurs that we could maybe be arsed to go and win against the Cherries...

I'm going to keep this review short and sweet, because I have more exciting U21s games to review than this dross.

We all hark back to Captain Marvel, and Robbo was super double mega mint, but Captain Fantastico Bruno Fernandes... he ain't half bad either. He's let down by his emotions and the falling about - methinks the CR7 effect and 'dark arts - but he's never injured, runs everywhere, has immense technique, and pulls off some right madness at times.

That said, Ole was criticised for relying on individual brilliance and Erik is in that same position - albeit with only really Bruno and Mainoo being brilliant at any given moment.

Today United were poor, and that comes from two issues: 1) no Lissandro Martinez means United don't have a ball-playing centre back 2) Casemiro is dusted. He's done. He can't be the solo pivot in this United team. I'm loathe to give him props, but Jamie Redknapp's recap of his performance is very accurate.

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So... yeah. Same old United. Same old problems. Keeper facing too many shots, no LB, no ball-playing CBs, too old a solo pivot, and too few chances for the CF because we're so poor in possession and at creating regular chances.

The season can't end soon enough. I just hope we beat Coventry in the FA Cup semi final. At least there's a coin flip chance in a cup final. A sliver of optimism for the season, eh? Doubt it though.

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#manchester united #man u #man united #man utd #manchester reds #erik ten hag #marcus rashford #casemiro #alejandro garnacho #kobbie mainoo #willy kambwala #bournemouth #dominic solanke #Youtube

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unitedbydevils · 20 days

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Match Review: Manchester United 2-2 Liverpool

Honestly, that could have been a lot worse.

Wonderboy Kobbie Mainoo might be THE individual responsible for denying Klopp a perfect send-off with a second Premier League title in his time in England. Ahahahahahaha get fucked.

Okay, okay, lets reign it in. Garnacho struck early for United but was ruled offside, and shortly after Liverpool struck back - Szoboszlai denied by a brilliant Andre Onana save at full span.

Luis Diaz opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a side-on volley from a Darwin Nunez header. Nunez lost Wan Bissaka, his marker, on a Liverpool corner, and Diaz was disgracefully unmarked in acres of space back post. United just cannot defend set pieces. Poor.

United ended the first half with no shots at all, let alone on target; a damning stat that shows just how disjointed the side is at the moment, and why form has been so unreliable.

Second half and just five minutes in Quansah gave the ball away to Bruno Fernandes for a beautiful 45 yard stab to equalise for United. Wayne Rooney praised the captain's technique post-match, pointing out the skill required at the distance and the angle of interception to do what he did. Stellar stuff - and a second intercept from sloppy defending in two games 👀

Liverpool fought back and should have scored from Darwin Nunez, with Szoboszlai and Diaz carving United open, but it was a stunner in the 67th minute from Kobbie Mainoo that put United in a wholly undeserved lead - though admittedly in a far better second half showing than the first.

It wouldn't be United without a capitulation though. Bruno Fernandes beaten down Liverpool's right wing, Aaron Wan Bissaka drawn out of position, and a clumsy foul in the box on Harvey Elliot. Penalty Liverpool. Salah converts. 2-2.

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Truth be told, not losing to Liverpool was the objective, as sad as that is to admit. A point is good enough, but given United's lead here, against Chelsea, against so many teams this season... a lot of work needs doing by INEOS to clear out those who do not fit the plan because you can't keep Erik Ten Hag on with unsuitable players - and you can't replace him because other managers will encounter the same issues. As did Jose. As did Louis. As did Ole. You can make the best of a bad situation but it's better not to BE in a bad situation.

#manchester united #man u #man united #man utd #manchester reds #erik ten hag #marcus rashford #casemiro #old trafford #alejandro garnacho #kobbie mainoo #diogo dalot #andre onana #luis diaz #mo salah #harvey elliot #dominic Szoboszlai #willy kambwala #Youtube

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unitedbydevils · 21 days

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Match Review: Liverpool U18s 1-9 Manchester United U18s

Oh baby we're back. United's U18s in scintillating form against the arch rivals, and perhaps the title sealed with this win...

It's an Ethan Wheatley world, and we're all living it - the hat trick hero undoubtedly the Player of the Match in this absolute thrashing.

It was James Scanlon who opened the scoring for United; the Gibraltar winger having recently earned his first national cap to become the first United player to ever represent the country. A long ball from central defence found McAllister, who pushed on before cutting back with the pass for Scanlon to rifle home into the roof of the Liverpool net.

Mantato almost found Wheatley in the 11th minute, but it only took a minute - and United's high press - to get Wheatley the goal he deserved. 2-0 United.

Except, Wheatley wasn't done. Three minutes later and he had his second, driving up the right side into the box and just rasping a finish home across the goal. Tight angle, cool finish. 3-0.

Liverpool had a decent chance in the 24th minute but United's big clearance was nodded into no man's land by Liverpool's defence - only for Ethan Williams to cut on off the left, ride two or three challenges, and hit an absolute scorcher into the goal. 4-0.

Liverpool did manage a consolation goal in the 32nd minute with a tidy throughball breaking the United lines and Joe Bradshaw chipping Elyh Harrison for a tidy finish. Got to praise good play.

How do you instruct your lads when you go in at half time 4-1 up away at the enemy? Win the second half 5-0. Easy.

Liverpool started the second half off brightest, and had the wind behind their backs, but United stayed strong and continued their romp with Wheatley's hat trick in the 57th minute.

Five minutes later and substitute Jack Fletcher, fresh from signing his first pro contract with United (and twin Tyler), put a sumptuous throughball across the pitch into the path of Scanlon, who rolls the ball left to throw the defender off and drives it home. 6-1 United.

Goal number seven came from another sub, Gabi Biancheri, who timed a late run into the box to meet a tidy right side cross along the floor from RB Jaydan Kamason.

The game opened up a bit more here, with Liverpool having nothing to lose and gambling more on the attack, but United got goal eight in the 83rd minute from a Biancheri header, before bagging goal nine through sub Ashton Missin in the 88th minute who decided that he needed to score the goal of the game with a Beckham-esque bending shot fizzed into the top corner to wrap up the rout.

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If you're Missin or Williams you're buzzing with those goals, and gutted that Wheatley got Player of the Match 😂

It's a team game though, and the lads will all be extremely pleased with their work rate, coordination, and overall play style. A stonking win away is always immense, but against Liverpool? Historic.

Stoke, Wolves, Sunderland and Everton remain to play in the league for the season, with three of those near or at the bottom of the table. Wolves will be a tough game, as weill the Cup Final against City later this month. Only the noisy neighbours can contest the title with United now though, and they have two games in hand to help reduce the 13 point gap between us in first and second. It should be ours in the bag but lets keep the focus up and seal the deal eh. UTFR.

#manchester united #man u #man united #man utd #manchester reds #manchester united u18s #liverpool u18s #rout #u18 premier league north #ashton missin #ethan wheatley #ethan williams #james scanlon #jack fletcher #gabriele biancheri #joe bradshaw #Jaydan Kamason #Youtube

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unitedbydevils · 21 days

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Match Review: Manchester United Women 4-1 Everton Women

A tale of two halves for the women in red last Sunday; losing the first half but storming back to great effect in the second.

United started brightly, with Nikita Parris going close twice and Katie Zelem blazing a cutback over, but Everton weren't shut out and had their chances. An atrocious backpass from Maya Le Tissier to Mary Earps allowed Katja Snoeijs to steal the ball from between the pair, round the keeper and tap it home to give the Toffees the lead.

With United's high line, Everton did get their chances to break and counter. A pass from LB Hannah Blundell was poorly controlled and passed back out by Mary Earps, giving Everton another easy chance on goal - and one they should have buried to make it 2-0.

Much like the men's side, United were promising in attack and sloppy in defence, but Mark Skinner's half time team talk clearly had the desired impact.

Lucia Garcia, Lisa Naalsund and Geyse had big chances to even the score, but United's first came from centre-back Millie Turner (Player of the Month for March) who scored a great header at back post from a trademark Zelem corner - much to the delight of Leigh Sports Village and the home crowd.

Goal secured, United were now able to play with the freedom they usually have. Cue goal number 2, just three minutes later. A left foot air kick was graciously recovered into a right foot stab from Ella Toooooooone to make it 2-1.

It only took another five minutes before Toone got her second of the game, but all credit should go to Lisa Naalsund for her determined pressing to win the ball back outside the Everton box and then dribble her way through into the box before finding Toone with a deft pass.

Toone's pursuit of a hat-trick continued, while Garcia and Naalsund continued to terrorise the Everton players, but it was a 90th minute finish from Leah Galton that sealed the deal; sprinting into space from deep to a pre-emptive throughball from Rach Williams to slot home coolly into the bottom right corner of the next.

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United had the better possession, passing accuracy, and shots on goal, so the win isn't too surprising, but there were a few of this season's defensive frailties which show why United aren't a title contender just yet - and are things the club, and Skinner, will need to fix if we're to progress.

Next up: Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final. Kick off at 2:35pm (random) but it's a great chance for United to go for silverware, and to deny the departing Emma Hayes in the process.

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unitedbydevils · 23 days

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Match Review: Chelsea 4-3 Manchester United

Cole Palmer is a better Red than our entire fucking team.

"It's your first senior hat-trick, how are you feeling?" "Buzzin'"

HE'S SO MANC IT HURTS. A boyhood United fan who just bagged a hat-trick against us and we can't even fault him. Two good penalties and unmarked for the winner. 2-3 to 4-3 in the 100th and 101st minutes. Unreal stuff.

For the neutral, this was another belter like the United-Liverpool quarter final. 2-0 down inside 20 minutes and United looked buried. And then, Chelsea did what they've done all season and imploded. First came a Caicedo mistake from a backpass, which Garnacho intercepts, rides the challenge, switches feet to throw the keeper's balance, and slots it home nicely. 2-1. Then, Dalot assist, looped ball to backpost for Capitan Bruno to bury a header unmarked... despite 6 Chelsea players in the box. Class.

2-2 and the game was wide open. Disgustingly so.

People are praising Mainoo so heavily because he does his job. I also think Mount does too, and he looked tidy when he came on for a late cameo. Bruno is not positionally disciplined though, Casemiro is WILD, and McTominay doesn't know where central midfield is. Somewhere near Kidderminster?

It's the hope that kills you, and a STELLAR performance from Antony (honestly, his best in a United shirt) saw an outside-of-the-boot whipped cross deep into the box to Garnacho for a headed 2nd and to put United in the lead. Comeback complete, scenes etc.

So of course, in the dying moments, Diogo Dalot goes and ruins all the credit he's been getting lately and flattens Madueke. Penalty. I know he can deputise at LB but honest to god, every time he does he just fucks it. I'd rather pick Amrabat there. Seriously.

Palmer slots home again. 3-3. Dejection. We're walking away with a point. WRONG. Heads are down, focus is off, and Palmer's unmarked in the middle of the box. 4-3, hat-trick complete, Chelsea win.

This match summed up United's season: 1) Injuries aplenty 2) What's a midfield? 3) We lost a won game 4) We're legally obliged to let the opposition shoot at every opportunity 5) Rashford seems done with the club and/or the manager

This is Chelsea. A team of good players, with a good manager, none of which has clicked to form a threat. They are a mid table banter side, and so are we. Champions League dream is over. Back to the shit league we go.

I like Erik Ten Hag, but this is him done. Liverpool are going to embarass us on Sunday and we're just going to limp to some sort of season conclusion. I'd honestly not be surprised if Coventry turned us over in the FA Cup semi. I'd equally not be surprised if we won the thing by beating them and City and ETH saying LOOK WHAT WE CAN DO WHEN WE FOCUS, at which point i'll put a brick through my window. We're so frustrating. I'm so tired.

#manchester united #man u #man united #manchester reds #man utd #erik ten hag #marcus rashford #casemiro #chelsea #cole palmer #alejandro garnacho #antony dos santos #diogo dalot #raphael varane #jonny evans #mauricio pochettino #noni madueke

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unitedbydevils · 28 days

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Match Review: Manchester City Women 3-1 Manchester United Women

City's title charge continues, whilst United scramble to finish in the top 4.

I couldn't bring myself to write about this game for a week because it was just so inevitable that City would win, and it's hard to say City didn't deserve it. They're probably worthy WSL champions in all honesty. They play confident football, they're good in possession, they're aggressive and front-footed and like to attack. It's good to watch and nice to see Chelsea under pressure too.

In fairness to United, we did have chances early on. Geyse in particular came close to giving United an early lead. Shots and shots on target, and possession even, were roughly the same between the two Manchester sides, but the eye test told a different story and City were comfortable. It never looked like United were really dangerous, merely an inconvenience.

In contrast, Jess Park bagging her first and second goals for City... yeah. United had 6 on 5 then 8 on 6 for the first goal. Poor positioning, poor tracking back, and ball watching from the women. Sloppy stuff and Mark Skinner needs to be using this game as a showcase of the little errors that need removing. For the second goal, Hannah Blundell switches off at LB and lets Park drift in behind the oblivious Maya Le Tissier to get in for a tap-in. Too, too easy.

Jamaica's Bunny Shaw put City 3-0 up just 30 seconds into the second half, and from there it all slowed down. The game was done, City were comfortable, and United were fortunate to get a consolation goal - an own goal - in the 73rd minute courtesy of Casparij. Toone's link up with the overlapping Blundell, cross in... and a wicked deflection into the back of the net, when if the ball had gone past it really wasn't finding anyone in the middle of the box.

Next up is Everton. Today, actually. Noon kickoff. Lets bounce back with a good win eh?

youtube

#manchester united #man u #man united #man utd #manchester reds #manchester united women #wsl #manchester city women #jess park #beth mead #bunny shaw #mary earps #hannah blundell #ella toone #maya le tissier #mark skinner #Youtube

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unitedbydevils · 28 days

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Match Review: Brentford 1-1 Manchester United

Usual service is resumed.

United are slow, unintelligent, lacking confidence... if this were an online, virtual game you'd have experts questioning whether Manchester United were experiencing internet lag because of how slow we were in response and in contrast to Brentford.

The first half started with the briefest spell of competitiveness... and then it fell apart in classic United style.

As per usual, the McTominay question appeared - can United play him AND Bruno in the same lineup? The thing is, I'd argue that question has been answered repeatedly and loudly - NO.

Was Casemiro fit enough to start? No, so that's fine, but was Mount?

Bruno is a gambler. He's incredibly creative but very wasteful. He's playing the odds, and this worked with the double pivot of Fred/McTominay whose skillsets complimented each other in work rate and recovery after the fact. Mainoo and McSauce do not work. Casemiro and Scotty do not work. Mount in instead will not work. The discipline and personal styles are not there to work.

McTominay is a specific type of 10, and it's about time we realised that - until the summer when we need to sell him because he doesn't want to play second fiddle to Bruno. Okay, you could sell Bruno, but then I'd be putting Mount or Amad at 10 soooooo sell sell sell. Ta.

Wan Bissaka at left back also sucks. Can't believe our medical team did ETH dirty with the "Malacia will be back soon" shit. We could have kept Reguilon, at least he is a LB. Fuck it, we should have kept Alvaro. He'd have been tearing it up by now. Or injured.

Andre Onana had a good game in goal, and has been in a solid vein of form in the last few weeks to be fair to him. It feels like despite United being gash, he's settling. Mainoo/Garna/Hojlund also were at least putting in a shift (yeah, it's that bad we're praising effort, we know).

Of course, some of the issues are, as Liam says, down to injuries. Again, I feel this might tally with the medical team assessment of players. It also might have to do with Ten Hag's training regimen, but being honest... we're not the fittest team in the league, even if we regularly look tired. Is that down to players who just can't hack it? Inappropriate training styles? Poor physio judgements about conditioning? A lot of questions that need answering quickly.

It really was an awful game though. United were dominated by Brentford and lucky not to be battered big time. At no point did it feel like we deserved a point, let alone three. We're a team SOMEHOW still chasing a Champions League spot, and yet we're struggling away at a mid-table side devoid of a win in 5-6 games.

In a similar way to the criticism Gareth Southgate is facing for not picking possession or counter-attack football, so too is Erik Ten Hag deserving criticism for his playstyle at United. We know the ETH way and how he lined Ajax up. We also know Erik said he couldn't play the Ajax way at United (wtf? then why are you here?).

United with their injuries, player shortcomings, and lack of suitability to Ten Hag's style... yeah, we probably can't play that way just yet. So then the question is why not change the tactics up? As we saw versus Liverpool, United's attack and defence is too divided. The middle isn't linking because Mainoo is 18 and not a solo pivot, McTominay cannot/will not do that, Bruno certainly won't, and Casemiro is getting too old/too rash to do it. It needs a Frenkie De Jong/Carrick type as a holder OR a Kante/Makelele to destroy. That comes in the summer you'd hope, because Mount - if he stays fit - is an 8 or 10. Not a 6.

United not having a style means the players don't know their style. They have to think, and guess what? They're shit at it. Very few braincells out there. No wonder teams are banging 20+ shots at us every fucking game. There's only so much pressing you can do, and while sometimes it's down to effort, it's also more down to intelligence and decision-making - United shouldn't have to run around like headless chickens. They should be the calibre of players to have the smarts to react and adapt. Mainoo is capable, and honestly with the amount of dipshittery going on I'd not be too angry about promoting more youth to bin off some of the seniors.

Aside Onana, the one glimmer of hope was a certain somebody getting his first United goal...

...but then minutes later we concede and draw the game we didn't even deserve a point from 🙃

Where does that leave us? Same place as before. Europe League spots despite looking wank. How we're ahead of teams I do not know. I just hope Martinez can start now and get back into rhythm, because he was shit today when we know - on form - how pivotal he is to United's good performances. Also buzzing for Mount, and hopefully he gets minutes ahead of Scotty the Friendly Ghost because we can't afford empty shirts. He bags a goal once in a while, cool, but he costs us so much more and i'm tired. I really am.

This iteration of United is not the one to return us to title contenders. If we win the FA Cup this year i'll drink my own piss I'm that confident we get bodied now or in the Final.

The saddest thing is how we can go from the jubilation of that manic FA Cup quarter final win over Liverpool - truly classic footballing drama - to miserable with a whimper of a 1-1 draw away at Brentford. Death by a thousand shots on goal.

#manchester united #man u #man united #man utd #manchester reds #erik ten hag #marcus rashford #brentford #bruno fernandes #scott mctominay #andre onana #kobbie mainoo #alejandro garnacho #rasmus højlund #mason mount #lisandro martinez #gareth southgate

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unitedbydevils · 1 month

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Match Review: West Bromwich Albion U21s 0-3 Manchester United U21s

Fun fact - I was over the road from The Hawthorns when this match was on, as I train with my friends in West Brom's 'Proud Baggies' LGBT group. I wore a United shirt too, of course. Got to let them know.

Despite the scoreline, West Brom did almost open the scoring in the 7th minute with a beautifully whipped cross and diving header just glancing wide.

10 minutes later and United took the lead, with a sharp counter-attack putting Charlie McNeill into the box and his cross, looking for Ethan Ennis, bundled into the net by Baggies CB Haper-Bailey.

McNeill did find Ennis 20 minutes later, with a lovely squared ball in the box for an easy Ethan Ennis tap in, but United's third and McNeill's deserved goal would have to wait until the 67th minute. A killer through ball from Aljofree allowed McNeill to break on Haper-Bailey, approach the keeper, dink, and gentle finish for 3-0.

United are decidedly mid-table at present, but with McNeill and Ennis looking so sharp and 1-2 games in hand on most sides above them... there's hope for the season yet. Next up is Brighton on April 8th, and they are a team higher up in the table and with a game more played: a chance for United to claw back ground.

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#manchester united #man u #man united #man utd #manchester reds #charlie mcneill #ethan ennis #elyh harrison #the hawthorns #west bromwich albion u21s #manchester united u21s #Youtube

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unitedbydevils · 1 month

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Match Review: Manchester United Women 2 - 0 Bristol City Women

A gentle outing at Leigh Sports Village for United in a relatively quiet afternoon's work hosting Bristol.

It might seem disrespectful to be so dismissive of Bristol City, which isn't my intent, but it was a fairly slow and lacklustre affair between the two sides. United dominated possession, had far better passing accuracy, and more than double the passes. A high line and hard graft kept City at bay but United just weren't quite able to break down Bristol's resistance to get the game snowballing.

Lisa Naalsund got her first WSL goal for United in just the 9th minute, but United would fail to strike again until Naalsund got her second in the 95th minute added time.

Manager Mark Skinner clearly had an impact in his half-time team talk, but for all United quickened their passing play, it just wasn't firing on the day. In contrast, Bristol City nearly pulled out a glorious equaliser in the 51st minute with a scorpion kick flick on leading to a shot from Hayles which hit the bar and rebounded straight into the attacker, bringing the game to a halt momentarily.

Three points for United keeps them in fourth, just ahead of Liverpool but on a significant goal difference. Arsenal aren't insurmountable in third place, but even they find themselves six points behind Chelsea and City at the top of the table.

Next up for United is City, away, but with Liverpool away and Chelsea at home as the final two league games of the season, United really need to not lose this next match in order to hold ground rather than concede it in the table. A tough end to the league season awaits.

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#manchester united #man u #man united #man utd #manchester reds #manchester united women #ella toone #lucia garcia #mark skinner #lisa naalsund #bristol city women #leigh sports village #Youtube

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unitedbydevils · 1 month

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Match Review: Manchester United U18s 5-2 Blackburn Rovers U18s

A classic United comeback on show here at home to the Rovers...

The game started in a very open fashion - ala the first team - but United were looking promising with the lion's share of chances on goal; Amir Ibragimov in CAM having his shot deflected away from a precision bottom corner goal.

Things flipped on their head when a slightly bobbling backpass from LB Harry Amass went under keeper Tom Myles' foot and ran straight into the net. 0-1.

United then went and turned on the pressure hard for the next 16 minutes, having chance after chance scrambled away by a determined Blackburn, but it was United's defensive uncertainty that started off a dodgy 20 seconds around the box which allowed Nsangou the chance to bury a great shot. 0-2.

We both saw the score about. 5-2. From 2 down. United then went on a bit of a madness, which the post-game stats reflected with 41 shots from Manchester United - and 23 of them on target. Whoa.

Bendito Mantato led the charge and got United a deserved first goal after some wicked footwork saw him step past three men in the box to score past the keeper at near post. Mantato would then go on to score straight after the break, and twice more in the half, to really solidify United's lead.

Promising prospect Victor Musa also got himself on the scoresheet, bagging in the 55th minute thanks to a killer square pass from Amir Ibragimov, before Mantato could secure his hat-trick and steal all the limelight.

United's sheer firepower and skill left Blackburn Rover shellshocked, in stark contrast to what had been a banger first half from both sides. The result keeps United 10 points clear of Manchester City in second place, with the Reds' only defeat this season coming at the hands of our noisy neighbours away.

Next up is a tricky away tie with Liverpool on April 6th.

#manchester united #man u #man utd #man united #manchester reds #manchester united u18s #bendito mantato #harry amass #victor musa #tom myles #amir ibragimov #blackburn rovers u18s

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