U18s Report: Manchester United 0-0 Leeds United | OneFootball

U18 Premier League North

Manchester United U18 0

Leeds United U18 0

Manchester United: Heath (GK), Overy, McCormack, Kukonki, J Watson, Thwaites, Lusale (Abdoulaye 82’), Ibragimov (C), Ajayi (Gabriel 45’), Bailey (McEvoy 64’), Brown (Plunkett 64’). Subs not used: Z Watson (GK).

Leeds United: Baird (GK), Thompson, Philpott, Mills, Matykiewicz, Howard (C), Njinko, Mensah, Render, Alker, White. Subs not used: Megson, Watson, Bridge, Bhaskaran, Morris.

Referee: Lewis Atkinson

Booked: Kukonki, Ibragimov (Manchester United) Philpott (Leeds)

Sent off: Bailey (Manchester United)

Venue: Carrington Training Complex

A superb defensive display and resilient spirit saw Leeds United Under-18s earn a point against Manchester United Under-18s, extending their unbeaten run to three games.

There was an autumn chill around Carrington as both teams stood united for a moment of silence to mark Remembrance.

Rob Etherington’s side started aggressively when Aiden Thompson’s tackle on Nathaniel-Junior Brown set Jacob Render away down the right. Samuel Alker followed up with intense pressing on the hosts’ back line, forcing a nervy back pass that couldn’t be capitalised on.

The home team responded as James Overy’s cross found Brown at the back post but Thompson did enough to put him off. Pressure began to build as Samuel Lusale and Overy combined, with James Bailey brought down by Thompson on the edge of the box.

Jim Thwaites’ driven free kick drew a brilliant full stretched save from Alex Baird before the resulting corner evaded everyone.

The opposition captain Amir Ibragimov then looked to release Lusale but Louie Philpott read it well to clear. The skipper succeeded moments later however Lusale’s low cross was blocked by Leeds captain Jacob Howard for a corner.

Manchester United thought they had taken the lead when Noah Ajayi broke through Whites’ back line, going one on one with the keeper. A clever chip found the back of the net but the flag was raised for offside.

Leeds’ defence continued to stand firm. Lusale’s central run was halted as blue shirts surrounded him while Overy’s right-sided attack was dealt with by Luke Matykiewicz. Baird then comfortably held Ibragimov’s deflected strike.

Etherington’s side countered through Kenneth Mensah, whose lofted cross was just out of reach for Logan White. Moments later, neat play between the forward, Mensah and Carrick Njinko led to a deflected shot and a first corner which keeper Frederick Heath claimed confidently.

Brown later robbed Njinko outside the Leeds box and fed Ajayi, whose shot arrowed the inside of the post before the rebound flew over the bar.

The half ended as it began — Leeds fired up and applying pressure — before referee Lewis Atkinson brought a frantic first half to a close.

HALF TIME: Manchester United U18 0-0 Leeds United U18

The second period started with Ibragimov’s deflected effort forcing a corner before the Whites broke quickly through Njinko and Mensah, though the move fizzled out.

The home team pressed through substitute Joseph Gabriel, linking well with Ibragimov and Lusale but Matykiewicz blocked bravely. Thwaites’ free kick soon after was cleared by Philpott.

Leeds earned a golden chance when Render was brought down in the box but White’s penalty was saved by Heath’s strong right hand. From the resulting corner, Render’s header clipped the outside of the post.

The Whites kept up the pressure as Njinko’s shot hit the side netting whilst at the other end, Gabriel’s curling effort was safely gathered by Baird.

Mensah later sent Njinko through, who went down under pressure from Godwill Kukonki, but the visitors were denied a second penalty.

Ibragimov profited on an error and raced through one-on-one but Baird reacted brilliantly to palm the ball away and keep it level.

In the closing minutes, Gabriel curled a shot just over the bar before McEvoy’s late strike across goal went wide.

The final whistle ended a fiery contest, extending Leeds’ unbeaten run to three U18 Premier League North games. Etherington’s side turn their focus to their next home fixture against Sunderland at Thorp Arch after the international break.

FULL TIME: Manchester United U18 0-0 Leeds United U18