Academy Match Report: Blackburn Rovers u18s 0-0 Manchester United u18s | OneFootball

Manchester United u18s took on Blackburn Rovers u18s on Saturday morning in league action.

After winning their opening five matches, United fell into a slump with three straight losses heading into the match.

Looking to turn it around, United were bolstered by captain Amir Ibragimov making his first start since September.

As with United’s u21s fixture with Blackburn the night before, fans were unable to watch the match with the club choosing not to show it on MUTV.

First half

United took control from the off with the lion’s share of possession throughout the match but struggled to really test the Blackburn keeper.

Jim Thwaites had two efforts in quick succession just before the half hour mark that sailed just wide of the right post.

United’s best chance came late on when Jayden Ngwashi rose to head down towards the bottom left corner which was tipped away to keep it 0-0 at the break.

Second half

The second half continued in much the same vein with United attacking the Blackburn area but failing to take advantage of their chances.

The ball cannoned off the crossbar at one point after a wayward clearance by the Blackburn defender trying to deal with a cross.

Douka Nkoto’s shot late on flew wide of the goal to sum up United’s performance. Mayhem ensued in the box and Jayden Ngwashi tried to thrash in the ball on the goal line, but made connection with the keeper instead to earn himself a second yellow card.

The draw means United remain in second place in the league but fall further behind league leaders Manchester City.

United are next in action next Saturday when they host Leeds United at Carrington.

Speaking after the match, coach Colin Little had many positives to reflect on, but pointed out the need to be more clinical in front of goal.

“We won lots of duels, landed on second balls and kept getting into really good areas down the sides of them. We just couldn’t put the ball in the net and get the goal that we deserved,” he said.

“We want a similar performance going forward in terms of the way we build the attacks, we just want more outcome in the attacks. We want more people in the right areas to capitalise on our good play and, when we do get in the right areas, make the right contact to score the goals.”

Match facts

United: Heath, Overy, McCormack, Ngwashi, J. Watson (Plunkett 74), Thwaites, Ibragimov (c) (Bailey 60), Brown, Ibrovic-Fletcher (Shah 64), Lusale, D. Nkoto (Ajayi 64)

Unused subs: Z. Watson

Red card: Ngwashi (90+7)

Featured image Ben Roberts photo via Getty Images

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