Match Report: JJ Gabriel leads Manchester United U21s in 5 goal demolition of Ipswich Town U21s | OneFootball

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Manchester United U21s started their season on Monday night with a home encounter at Leigh Sports Village, hosting Ipswich Town.

Adam Lawrence fielded a strong side, with a number of players yet to head out on loan after featuring in Michael Carrick’s first team squad during pre-season.

First half

United took complete control of the match straight from the opening whistle, taking an early lead with less than two minutes on the clock.

Victor Musa picked out JJ Gabriel on his U21s debut, running to the byline and then following his pass into the box to receive it back from Gabriel before firing it low into the far left corner.

The young Red Devils bombarded the Ipswich goal with a flurry of chances in the opening stages of the match and doubled the lead in just the 10th minute. Tynan Thompson fed the ball infield to Jack Fletcher, who did excellently to beat his defender with his first touch before giving the keeper the eyes and sending him the wrong way with an excellent finish.

Six minutes later, Jack Fletcher almost had his second of the match when his long-range effort whizzed just inches wide of the left post.

United had a double penalty shout in the 28th minute when Gabriel and then Amir Ibragimov were clumsily bundled over, but the referee waved away both of their protestations.

Ibragimov and Gabriel combined again just after the half-hour mark, the former playing a ball over the top to Gabriel, who laid the ball back to Jaydan Kamason, who hit the ball with such power it hit the roof of the net before the keeper could even react.

The goals were flowing for United, and Lawrence’s side added a fourth in the 38th minute. This time, Tyler Fletcher’s corner delivery was headed in at the back post by Dan Armer.

On the stroke of half-time, Ibragimov looked to take advantage of a wayward back pass by Ipswich but was struck down by Leon Elliott just as he was about to run clear through on goal. Once again, though, the referee was unwilling to give United the call.

Second half

Ipswich turned to the bench at the break with a double substitution, but it did little to change the flow of the game as United continued to dominate. The fifth goal of the night came shortly after the restart, when Gabriel produced a playful scoop over the keeper from 20 yards out.

The victory did not come completely easy for United, though; frustrations began to grow in the Ipswich side as they left late challenges on the United players.

After escaping a red card in the first half, Elliott was sent off in the 66th minute for a second yellow card in the span of two minutes. United had another penalty shout late on when Ashton Missin was hacked down inside the area, but it was not given as United ran out 5-0 winners.

It was a perfect start to the season. United now look towards next Monday when they take on Leicester City, but it could be a very different squad as players head out on loan before the transfer deadline.

Match facts

United: Byrne-Hughes, Kamason, Mills (Munro 61), Armer (Kukonki 76), Amass, T. Fletcher, J. Fletcher (Thwaites 61), Musa (Missin 61), Gabriel, Thompson, Ibragimov (Orozco 76)

Unused subs: Murdock, Mantato