Man United U18s beat Derby County in five -goal thriller to stay atop U18 Premier League standings – report | OneFootball

Manchester United U18s dug deep to beat Derby County 3-2 in the U18 Premier League North fixture played on Saturday afternoon.

Head coach Adam Lawrence changed the entire defence and attack that started against Middlesbrough.

He replaced James Bailey with Tyler Fletcher in the midfield. Bendito Mantato was also named in the starting line-up for the first time since last November.

The home side made a flying start as Dantel Hodges struck the ball into the net after their initial free-kick cannoned off the crossbar.

United responded three minutes later, with defender Daniel Armer rising the highest to meet Jim Thwaites’ free-kick. He headed the ball home to score his first league goal of the season.

Justin Oguntolu restored Derby’s lead in the 28th minute, running through on goal to put the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Will Murdock.

United were awarded a penalty following defender Adisa Osayande’s foul on Amir Ibragimov, but goalkeeper Harley Price saved the spot-kick.

United eventually drew level with a beautiful team goal. James Scanlon, Ibragimov and Tyler Fletcher combined to set Gabriel Biancheri, who grabbed the goal with a precise header.

Biancheri was involved in the winning goal. He won a penalty after Marcel Tola brought him down, and Scanlon stepped up to convert.

Defender Rio Canoville came close to bagging the equaliser for the Rams but he blasted his effort over the bar.

Despite Manchester City’s victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, United still sit at the top of the standings. They have played one more game than the Cityzens.

United face Sunderland at the Carrington Training Centre after the international break.

Article written by Henry Thornton .