Academy Match Report: Tamworth 3-0 Manchester United U21s

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·16 Desember 2025

Academy Match Report: Tamworth 3-0 Manchester United U21s

Manchester United u21s travelled to take on Tamworth in the National League Cup on Tuesday night.

The match was a replay of the first fixture of the season, which was suspended during the first half after an injury to Sekou Kone.

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Kone was back in the starting XI for United in what was ultimately a dead rubber for Travis Binnion’s side, as they had no chance of securing qualification.

First half

United did not get the start they would have been looking for, as the home side took an early lead in just the fourth minute.

A corner from the left side was looped high into the box and met by Manny Duku, who sent the ball past Will Murdock.

United’s best chance of the half came in the 13th minute when Gabriele Biancheri‘s strike from 20 yards sailed just wide of the left post after some good link-up play with Yuel Helafu.

At the other end, United looked susceptible and Tamworth took advantage with a quick counter-attack over the head of Dan Armer, who could not keep up with Oliver Lynch. He ran through and struck low to make it 2-0.

United held the majority of possession for the rest of the half but created little in the way of openings, as Tamworth were happy to sit back.

Second half

The second half continued in a similar fashion to the first, with United controlling possession but Tamworth looking the more dangerous in front of goal.

Travis Binnion turned to his bench with the introduction of Chido Obi on his return from injury, but it was Bendito Mantato who looked like he could turn it around upon his introduction.

Linking well with Helafu, Mantato injected pace on the right wing but was unable to find a teammate with his delivery into the box.

Against the run of play, Tamworth hit on the counter-attack with a long ball over the top, which Armer failed to deal with before Beck-Ray Enoru made it 3-0.

Obi had a couple of long range efforts in the final moments but neither really troubled the Tamworth keeper as the final whistle came with the score still at 3-0.

Binnion will need to pick the youngsters’ heads up quickly, though, as they host Borussia Dortmund II at Old Trafford on Friday night in the Premier League International Cup.