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Manchester United to bring Warren Joyce back to the club to lead the U23s after Ricky Sbragia was sacked

11 June 2019 by

Manchester United could be bringing Warren Joyce back to the Old Trafford club as U23 manager after he departed to become the manager of Wigan Athletic back in November 2016. Joyce has also managed Melbourne City in Australia but left his position there in May 2019. This could be the best bit of news this summer, especially after Ricky Sbragia was sacked in the last few weeks.

It is suggested in the report that Joyce’s return to United could also help French midfielder Paul Pogba make a decision to remain at the Theatre of Dreams as both Pogba and Joyce got on very well when he was playing under him during his first to first team football, with Pogba eventually leaving for Juventus as a free agent, coming back to United four years later – as the most expensive footballer at the time.

Joyce, 54, spent 12 years working for United, even spending time working with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as co-manager of the reserves side, when the Norwegian was recovering from injury, then retired from playing the game. Joyce is now the favourite to replace Sbragia this summer with United looking to continue their development of talented footballers who could make the grade at first team level.

This is something the club has done through the years from the Busby Babes to the Class of 1992. It is fair to say, that in the past six years, there has been a lack of true development by players coming through the academy with few making the grade and becoming first team players. Of the current squad, United has Joel Pereira, Dean Henderson, Tim Fosu-Mensah, Axel Tuanzebe, Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Andreas Pereira and Marcus Rashford in the ranks.

However, so many more players have not made the grade with 13 being released from the U18 and U23s this summer, including; Regan Poole, Zak Dearnley, Tom Sang, Callum Whelan, Matty Willock, James Wilson, Matthew Olosunde, Tyrell Warren, DJ Buffonge, Callum Gribbin, Millen Baars, Josh Bohui and James Thompson. If Joyce does return, he will have a big job on his hands but it is something he is capable of.

Joyce has been integral in the development of Pogba, Lingard, Rashford, Michael Keane and Danny Welbeck and with the likes of Mason Greenwood, James Garner, Lee O’Connor, Aidan Barlow, Tahith Chong, Angel Gomes and Nishan Burkart, to name a few, they could all be placed on the right track to find the best of their abilities, work on their weak areas and start their rise to the first team, like will be intended for many of them.

Filed Under: First Team, Managers, News, Opinion Tagged With: , , , ,

Rooney, Mkhitaryan, Mata and Martial lead the attack against Wigan

29 January 2017 by

Manchester United will battle Warren Joyce’s Wigan Athletic in the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup at Old Trafford this afternoon, the first time the former Reserve coach has faced his former team since his departure earlier this season. United have previously been in good form but saw their unbeaten run ended with a 2-1 defeat away to Hull City on Thursday evening, which saw United through to their first cup final this season, facing Southampton on the EFL Cup at Wembley at the end of February. United will be a changed side this weekend with Jose Mourinho having an eye on Wednesday’s clash with Hull in the Premier League at Old Trafford, a match in which they need the win to keep their chances of a top-four finish in with a chance at the end of the season, which will be required to play in the UEFA Champions League next season, or the club will face a reduction in revenue and players will suffer pay cuts.

Manchester United:

Romero;

Fosu-Mensah, Smalling, Rojo, Shaw;

Fellaini, Schweinsteiger;

Mata, Rooney, Mkhitaryan;

Martial

Substitutes:

Pereira; Blind, Tuanzebe; Young, Herrera; Ibrahimovic, Rashford

Wigan Athletic:

Haugaard;

Connolly, Buxton, Burn, Warnock;

MacDonald;

Powel, Morsy, Perkins, Jacobs;

Grigg

Substitutes:

Jaaskelainen; James, Kellett, Tunnicliffe, Morgan, Wildschut, Browne

Manchester United and Wigan Athletic have a history of facing each other. There have been 18 matches in the Premier League, the League Cup and the FA Community Shield and United have been the victors 17 times with Wigan claiming one victory on the 11th April 2012 with a 1-0 victory at the DW Stadium. The last match between the two sides was just over three and a half years ago in the FA Community Shield with David Moyes’ side winning 2-0 with a brace from Robin van Persie lifting the shield for the first time post-Sir Alex Ferguson. Wigan will be looking for a result at Old Trafford today and with United not winning in their last three matches, it will be a worry. United need to take their chances and try to end this battle from the start.

Filed Under: First Team, Managers, News, Opinion, Starting XI Tagged With: , , , , ,

Report: Manchester United U23’s back to winning ways against Arsenal

24 October 2016 by

Manchester United’s U23’s faced an Arsenal side one place and two points behind them in the Premier League 2 table at Leigh Sports Village on Monday night. United were looking to get back to winning way after a draw and a loss in their last two games and were set to field an unchanged side from last week’s draw against Liverpool but McTominay was injured in the warm-up which meant Mitchell started. There was also a place on the bench for 17-year-old DJ Buffonge after his impressive start to the season with the U18 team.

United began the game brightly with Riley and Harrop particularly bright as they linked up down the left-hand side on multiple occasions in the opening minutes. United’s first chance of the game came in the sixth minute as Mitchell’s cross from the right was headed back across goal by Harrop but the defender reacted well to clear for a corner. From the resulting corner United took the lead as the ball was flicked on by an Arsenal defender and found its way to RoShaun Williams at the back post and he headed in from close range for his first goal for the under 23’s.

There were appeals for an Arsenal penalty in the 15th minute as Tuanzebe made an important sliding tackle on Nketiah and the ball hit his arm but it would have been a harsh decision to give. Arsenal were improving as the game went on and were almost in again in the 19th minute as Nketiah looked to be through on goal but Poole read the play very well to make a last-ditch challenge. United almost got in for a second goal in the 3oth minute as Olosunde’s back heel found Willock running into the box but he smashed his cross across the face of goal when he needed to show more composure.

United should have been 2-0 ahead in the 42nd minute as Mitchell’s pass found Olosunde alone in the box but he was only able to hit the goalkeeper with the shot when he really should have scored. United then had another effort a minute later but El Fitouri screwed his shot wide from the edge of the box. Arsenal then went close to equalizing in first half injury time as the ball was pulled across the face of goal but Olosunde was in the right place to clear. United went in at half time leading 1-0.

United started the 2nd half just as brightly as they had the 1st and almost got in twice in the opening two minutes of the half as Redmond was denied by the goalkeeper coming off his line and then Harrop tested the goalkeeper from the edge of the box following a strong run. Arsenal then had an effort of their own as Hynes looked to get in down the left but was denied by a block from Tuanzebe. United went close twice in a minute in the 57th minute as Redmond’s shot lacked power and was easily saved and the Riley made a brilliant run down the left and pulled the ball across goal for Mitchell but his shot was scuffed and the defender cleared his effort.

United were creating most of the 2nd half chances and again went close in the 61st minute as Willock wriggled away from a couple of challenges and drove towards goal but his shot from the edge of the box was well dealt with by the goalkeeper. Joe Riley had been United’s best player in the second half and went close to scoring in the 65th minute as he got onto Harrop’s pass and cut inside the defender before firing a powerful effort at goal which the goalkeeper again did well to parry away. While the score was still only 1-0 Arsenal were always still in the game and went close to equalizing with their first shot on goal in the 67th minute but Johnstone got out quickly to deny Hynes from close range.

Despite United’s second half dominance, Arsenal were still looking dangerous and Regan Poole had to adjust himself very well to clear a dangerous cross when it looked like Arsenal were set to equalize. Following another fine pass from Riley, it was Harrop who stung the palms of the goalkeeper as he drifted inside from the left and fired a powerful effort at goal. United defended well in the closing minutes of the game to see out the game for a 1-0 win.

Goals: RoShaun Williams 7′

Manchester United: Johnstone; Williams, Poole, Tuanzebe, Riley; Redmond; El Fitouri, Harrop, Willock (Scott), Olosunde; Mitchell (Kehinde)

Substitutes Not Used: O’Hara, Whelan, Buffonge

Filed Under: Academy, Managers, Match Reports, Opinion, U23's Tagged With: , , , , ,

CONFIRMED: Tuanzebe, Poole, Riley & Willock start against Arsenal

24 October 2016 by

Manchester United U23 face Arsenal in the Premier League 2 at Leigh Sports Village on Monday evening. Just under a week ago, United earned a 1-1 draw with Liverpool in a hard-fought match with their North West rivals. United have not won at this level since the 3-2 victory over Derby County at Old Trafford on the 19th September. A week after that win, United were beaten 2-0 by Everton in Southport, which shows how the squad is faring without and out-and-out striker being available. Henrikh Mkhitaryan is fit, but not match fit and has missed the last three first team matches, in which he was expected to be involved in at least one. Memphis Depay needs game time, as do a few other fringe first team players. United have many fixtures to encounter in this period of the season, but players also need match fitness in order to get ready to be available for the first team, when needed. Jose Mourinho should allow some of his fringe first team players to reinforce the U23 squad, which will help the youngsters learn something else from their experiences too. Here are the starting XI and list of substitutes for both teams this evening.

Manchester United:

Johnstone;

Williams, Tuanzebe, Poole, Riley;

Redmond;

El Fitouri, Willock, Harrop, Olosunde;

Mitchell

Substitutes:

Whelan, O’Hara, Scott, Kehinde, Buffonge

Arsenal:

Keto;

Johnson, Da Graca, Bielik, Da Silva;

Bennacer, McGuane;

Dragomir, Hinds, Mourgos;

Nketiah

Substitutes:

Osei-Tutu, Virginia, Robinson, Eyoma, Bola

Filed Under: Academy, Managers, News, Opinion, U23's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Ratings: Johnstone, McTominay and Harrop shine in Liverpool draw

18 October 2016 by

Manchester United U23’s drew 1-1 with Liverpool at Leigh Sports Village on Tuesday night, a second draw for United in two days, against the same team. Josh Harrop scored United’s equalised from the spot after Scott McTominay was brought down in the area. Liverpool took the lead within 18 minutes of the match starting through harry Wilson, with a great effort. United seem to be lacking something this season without a true striker, which is something Warren Joyce has been trying to sort, playing Matty Willock as the striker once again as the lad seems to have all the ingredients to play there, but without a true striker in the team, United may still miss out this season. Liverpool were a good challenge for United and the fact a draw was earned, it will keep United in the mix this season, which may end in them not winning the Premier League 2 title, something they have done for the past two seasons. Sam Johnstone had a good match, putting in some great saves David De Gea would be proud of. United face Arsenal at Leigh Sports Village next Monday, which will be an interesting match.

Goals: Josh Harrop 50′ (penalty)

Manchester United: Johnstone; Williams, Tuanzebe, Poole, Riley; Redmond; Olosunde (Scott 64′), McTominay, Harrop, El Fitouri; Willock

Substitutes Not Used: Mitchell, Henderson, Kehinde, Ta

Manchester United

40 Sam Johnstone

A really strong performance with a number of great saves.)

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Ro-Shaun Williams

A really strong performance alongside his partner Tuanzebe.

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38 Axel Tuanzebe

Captain of the U23’s and had a captain’s performance with wonderful clearances.

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Regan Poole

The young Welshman didn’t put a foot wrong.

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Joe Riley

A good performance, worked hard down the wing.

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Devonte Redmond

Unlucky not to have grabbed equaliser with his brilliant effort thundered off the bar.

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Matthew Olosunde

The American played well but was subbed for Charlie Scott.

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39 Scott McTominay

A good performance from the man asked to play as the striker tonight, won penalty and never stopped working.

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Ratings: Johnstone, McTominay and Harrop shine in Liverpool draw

Converted with confidence from penalty spot to bring United level and done well linking with McTominay.

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Ratings: Johnstone, McTominay and Harrop shine in Liverpool draw

Lucky to get away with penalty decision in second half.

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Matty Willock

A good chance in first half and was unlucky that Sakho got in the way.

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Substitutes

Charlie Scott

Replaced Olosunde and worked well when he came on

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Written by Darren McConachie

Filed Under: Academy, Managers, Opinion, Player Ratings, U23's Tagged With: , , , ,

Report: Manchester United U23’s draw 1-1 with Liverpool

18 October 2016 by

Manchester United U23’s took on Liverpool U23’s at Leigh Sports Village in Premier League 2 tonight. The game got off to a ferocious start with tackles flying in from both sides. The first real chance of the game fell to United with eight minutes played as Willock intercepted the ball and shot on goal, only for Mamadou Sakho to deflect the shot wide. The referee missed the deflection however and awarded a goal kick to Liverpool.

United pressed Liverpool high up the park and would not allow any of their player’s time on the ball. Williams, in particular, doing well to frustrate Danny Ings in the opening fifteen minutes.

Liverpool took the lead through a delicate finish from Harry Wilson. The ball had been whipped in and went all the way to the back post where Danny Ings saw his effort rebound off the post, however, United could not clear the danger and the ball was driven back in towards Wilson who cleverly wrong-footed Sam Johnstone with a back heel as the ball rolled into the back of the net.

On the twenty-second minute, United were almost level as a cross from Willock almost found the feet of Scott McTominay but the keeper scrambled out to collect before the United midfielder could equalize.

Danny Ings went down in the twenty-fifth minute with a head injury but got up and was able to continue. Olisunde and Willock were combining well on the wing to try and work something for United.

Sam Johnstone was forced into action on the half-hour as Liverpool whipped a free kick into the box and the ball was headed towards the corner of the net before Johnstone got his hand on it to push away for a corner. The United keeper was required to get down low to beat another shot away in the thirty-third minute from long distance.

Harrop couldn’t get much behind his effort, which rolled into the hands of the Liverpool keeper as the first half ebbed and flowed towards half time.

United worked the ball well between Riley and Harrop before rolling the ball towards Redmond who thundered the ball from twenty-five yards only to see it crash off the bar, the Liverpool keeper dived but it was a token effort as he was beaten all ends up by the strike. It was by far United’s best chance of the entire first half and Redmond was unlucky to be denied by the woodwork as the clock showed forty-two minutes played.

The first yellow card was shown right on half time to Trent Alexander-Arnold as he scythed down Riley. The resulting free kick evaded everyone and Poole couldn’t convert at the back post as he tried to hook it back across goal.

United made a great start to the second half as McTominay drove through the Liverpool defence and was tripped from behind on the forty-ninth minute. The referee had no issue pointing straight to the spot and Joshua Harrop strode up with poise and purpose to slide the ball into the left-hand side of the net to level the game at 1-1.

A third goal in four games for United’s number 10 and more importantly an equaliser on the night.

Liverpool then had appeals for a penalty waved away just minutes later as Wilson felt that El Fitouri had pushed him down in the box. Replays showed that perhaps the young Welshman might have been unlucky to not be given the penalty.

Charlie Scott came on to replace Matt Olisunde after sixty-three minutes and three minutes later had a chance to score. Riley worked well individually down the wing to win a corner, which was swung in by Harrop and cleared by the Liverpool defence as far as Scott who blasted over.

The second half was offering very little in the way of chances until Ings broke free and was one on one with Sam Johnstone who produced a stunning save with fifteen minutes to go. The save was one that David De Gea would’ve been proud of as the United keeper stood tall until the last possible moment before blocking with his feet.

Liverpool were pressuring the United defence and their captain Harry Wilson couldn’t keep his composure from eighteen yards out as he blasted over following another clearance from Tuanzebe.  The away side made their first change after seventy-eight minutes with Ejaria being replaced by Woodburn who is a striker born in Chester.

A second change from Liverpool in the eighty-second minute as their captain Harry Wilson was replaced by Cameron Brannagan, born in Salford, but captaining Liverpool for the final eight minutes.

Liverpool were trying everything to snatch a winner in the final couple of minutes but United were standing strong as a unit with Tuanzebe and Williams clearing every ball that entered the United box.

Sam Johnstone was required to smother two Danny Ings half chances in stoppage time and so it finished Manchester United 1-1 Liverpool.

Ultimately, Warren Joyce will be happy with a point from this game and in particular with the defensive efforts of the two centre backs. No wonder they have been expected to come into the first team squad sooner rather than later. Joyce also must be feeling contented with a point considering there isn’t a single recognised striker in the team. Liverpool may feel that they should have taken all three points back to Anfield.

Goals: Josh Harrop 50′ (penalty)

Manchester United: Johnstone; Williams, Tuanzebe, Poole, Riley; Redmond; Olosunde (Scott 64′), McTominay, Harrop, El Fitouri; Willock

Substitutes Not Used: Mitchell, Henderson, Kehinde, Tanner

Written by Darren McConachie

Filed Under: Academy, Managers, Match Reports, Opinion, U23's Tagged With: , , , ,

CONFIRMED: Johnstone, Tuanzebe, Poole & McTominay start against Liverpool

18 October 2016 by

Manchester United U23’s face Liverpool at Leigh Sports Village this evening, less than 24 hours after the first team earned a 0-0 draw at Anfield. Warren Joyce’s side have not played for the best part of three weeks because of the international break, losing 2-0 to Everton the last time out towards the end of September. United have had a troubled start to the season, without a main striker, which may continue to be a problem for the remainder of the season. Warren Joyce will be looking to get his side back on track though against a strong Liverpool side with includes Danny Ings and Mamadou Sakho. Here are the starting XI and list of substitutes for both sides this evening.

Manchester United:

Johnstone;

Williams, Tuanzebe, Poole, Riley;

Redmond;

Olosunde, McTominay, Harrop, El Fitouri;

Willock

Substitutes:

Mitchell, Henderson, Scott, Kehinde, Tanner

Liverpool:

Grabara;

Alexander-Arnold, Ilori, Sakho, Randall;

Stewart, Chirivella;

Wilson, Grujic, Ejaria;

Ings

Substitutes:

Maguire, Kelleher, Woodburn, Brannagan, Lennon

Filed Under: Academy, Managers, News, Opinion, Starting XI Tagged With: , , , ,

Editorial: Manchester United ready for battle; Academy becoming a success once again?

17 October 2016 by

Manchester United take on Liverpool in the Premier League at Anfield at 8pm this evening in what will be the match everyone has been waiting all weekend, more importantly, a fortnight for. The international break makes football boring, especially when like me, you value your club more than the country you are from. Manchester United will always mean more to me than England. The support for England has meant nothing to me for at least six years now. I watch England play, but the fact that the FA never make a decent appointment, managers don’t seem to build the team around the important players, opting for experience instead, which is something that always causes disappointment. England has some talented young players coming through, I only hope that is something the next manager wants to build upon, as much like the last few appointments, England has failed to achieve anything significant. They seem to play well during qualification matches, but when it comes to a tournament, there is no fight or belief to carry the side through, the media raise expectations before they have to be significantly lowered to accept the abject failure England has become. Until then, Manchester United will be the only team I support, but I will continue to follow England and see what they become, more of the same most likely.

On Tuesday night, Manchester United’s U23 side face Liverpool at Leigh Sports Village, less than 24 hours after the first team face the same club. It will be a fiery match too. United’s U23’s, manager by Warren Joyce, have struggled this season. Their last match resulted in a 2-0 defeat to Everton in Southport, their second defeat of the season. The match before that saw United beat Derby County at Old Trafford, taking the lead three times to take all three points. The fact that the squad is missing an out-and-out striker is not the only problem this season, but the players have been standing up to be counted and this will do them a lot of good for their development. Last season the problem seemed to be with the U18 side, who lost twelve league matches in a row, also seeing the end of Paul McGuinness, who left the club before the end of the season. Nicky Butt became the head of the Academy, made many changes this summer and brought in a new U18 coach, Kieran McKenna, who has done well with his current crop of stars.

Last season the media seemed to have a field day with United’s Academy, criticising the players, the staff and the whole system, effectively suggesting it was a massive failure that needed to be rectified over time, but so far so good, that is not the case. The club has addressed some problems with amazing effects so far. The season did not start well for McKenna’s side, losing 4-0 to Derby County and also 2-1 to Liverpool, which seemed to suggest something similar was going to happen this season. United then won their next three matches, scoring five goals in each, beating Everton 5-1, Middlesbrough 5-1, and West Bromwich Albion 5-3. United then lost 2-0 to Manchester City, a match which also saw Ilias Moutha-Sebtaoui send off. The next match against Stoke resulted in a 2-0 win, then a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough, followed by a 1-1 draw with Sunderland. On Saturday, United beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 5-2, the fourth time they have scored five goals in one match this season, and there will probably be more before the end of the season. United’s U18 side currently sit at the top of the Premier League U18, two points ahead of Manchester City, who have three games in hand.

Talent seems to be something United’s Academy has a lot to offer. In the U18 squad, they have scored 26 goals this season with Indy Boonen and Angel Gomes each scoring five, DJ Buffonge scoring four, Nishan Burkart scoring three, trialist Idris Kanu and new summer signing Tahith Chong scoring twice, then George Tanner, Aiden Barlow, Faustin Makela, Kayne Diedrick-Roberts and Jake Barrett all scoring one goal a piece. Not bad in the fact United now know how to score goals at this level, only conceding 17 goals, which is not a great start to the season, but at least they are in a positive tally when you take them off the goals scored this season, which is completely different when you compare that to last season. Manchester City seems to still be praised for their Academy, yet they don’t seem to have players emerging from the Academy into their first team, not regularly anyway. Many City fans will claim that  Kelechi Iheanacho came through their Academy, but he was brought into the club the summer before last, so is in now way a product of their Academy. United have Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Sam Johnstone in their first team squad, with players such as Joshua Harrop, Matty Willock, Ro-Shaun Williams, and Axel Tuanzebe coming through the ranks, which is something that would, to me at least, suggest that City’s all singing and all dancing Academy is not as good as it is portrayed.

Talking about Manchester United’s Academy, the U16 squad this weekend won the Premier League International Tournament, which is something we covered yesterday. The U16 head coach, Neil Ryan saw his side draw 1-1 with West Bromwich Albion, beat Borussia Dortmund 4-1, then beat Everton 1-0. In the semi-finals, United beat Anderlecht, who faced tough competition in their group getting through Manchester City, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur. United beat the Belgian side 2-1, setting up a final encounter with Fulham. United drew that match 0-0, winning 5-4 on penalties. Ryan spoke to the official Manchester United website about the victory, saying:

“We are really pleased with the group – it’s a fantastic achievement for them. The competition involved some of the elite sides from both Europe and England. Winning was important to us but, more importantly, the experience of tournament football is a fundamental part of our players’ development – win or lose.”

Manchester United also competed in the Settembre Rostese 8th Trophy in Turin, which is for players born in 2004, finishing as the runners-up, which shows how good the Academy currently is with talented players throughout the club. Nicky Butt, the head of the Academy spoke to the official Manchester United website about the tours and tournaments programme for the remainder of the season, which can see the talent at the club be pitted against some of the best talents in the world, learning to player against international players early in their careers and taking something positive from the experience, which will set them up for the latter years in the Academy, which could prove crucial in the fact that they either make it at Manchester United, or they don’t. Butt said:

“We have developed our tours and tournaments programme for the remainder of the season.We are passionate about our players experiencing all of the benefits that come with tournament football such as elite opposition, different styles of football, penalty shoot-outs and a competitive environment. It’s all part of developing our players to be able to cope with the demands of first-team football.” 

Manchester United may not be at the top of their game at first team level, yet at least, but in the lower ranks, you can see the club progressing and trying to put last season, which saw lots of negativity, behind them. Manchester United have always been known for their production of youth, Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson took great pride in continuing that, and it looks like Jose Mourinho, along with Nicky Butt, will put an immense amount of pride into continuing the great work of those preceding them.

Filed Under: Academy, Columns, First Team, News, Opinion Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Ratings: Axel Tuanzebe was Manchester United’s only bright star in 2-0 defeat to Everton

26 September 2016 by

Manchester United U23’s were beaten 2-0 by a resurgent Everton side on Monday evening in Southport. United, against playing without a main striker started a strong side, but a side who were not near clinical enough to get anything from the match. Regan Poole made a defensive error after receiving a back pass and not being able to clear it before Dominic Calvert-Lewin opened the scoring for the home side. United, did everything they could to try and get back into the match, but it was going to be one of those frustrating evenings for Warren Joyce and his squad. In the second half of the match, Oumar Naisse scored a header, without much effort, from a set-piece doubling Everton’s lead. United did have some chances, but they were no way near clinical enough to take something from the match. In the final few minutes, Tosin Kehinde created something bright for United, which did not come to fruition. United will face Liverpool at Leigh Sports Village in three weeks time, which Warren Joyce will spend much of his time preparing his side in order to gain something from that match, and extend their home unbeaten run at this level.

Manchester United: Johnstone; Williams (Olosunde 64′), Tuanzebe, Poole, Riley; Redmond, Scott (Mitchell 61′); El Fitouri, Harrop, Hamilton (Kehinde 73′); Willock

Substitutes Not Used: Moutha-Sebtaoui, O’Connor

Bookings: Sadiq El Fitouri, Josh Harrop

Manchester United

40 Sam Johnstone

Despite conceding twice with two goals he could not really do much against, Johnstone had a good game, commanded his area well and really looked to want to get United back into the match.

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Ro-Shaun Williams

Did not have the best of matches in a United shirt, but has only recently come back from injury. May need a few matches to get back into the swing of things.

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38 Axel Tuanzebe

The captain put in his usual defensive display, looking good on the ball. He marked Oumar Naisse well, getting the better of the 26-year-old on a few occasions. Seemed to be the only player, other than Johnstone, who was trying. Saved United a few times with his determination to win the ball.

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Regan Poole

Made a mistake which led to Everton's opening goal after a backpass, which was not properly dealt with. I am sure he will be unhappy with that. Seemed resurgent during the rest of the match, trying to right his wrong, but it just was not working for him or United.

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Joe Riley

Got forward for much of the game, also did what he needed to do defensively, despite United conceding twice.

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Devonte Redmond

Played well at times, but along with Scott, could have done a bit more in the midfield in order to counter the Everton attackers, who seem to have got one over United this evening. Perhaps a bad day at the office for Redmond and the rest of the United squad?

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Charlie Scott

Did well in midfield, but could have done more at times to help his team deal with the onslaught from the Everton attack, who were much better than United despite being gifted the first goal, then scoring the second from a set-piece.

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Ratings: Axel Tuanzebe was Manchester United’s only bright star in 2-0 defeat to Everton

Still does not seem to be that player United need in the squad. I don't see much development from him, he was booked in the first half and just looked to be of lower quality than his teammates.

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Ratings: Axel Tuanzebe was Manchester United’s only bright star in 2-0 defeat to Everton

Had a good game in that he was a positive player in trying to get United back into the match from 1-0 down, and still determined after the second goal was scored. It was not United's night, but some of his teammates should be help accountable for their actions.

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Ethan Hamilton

Did well at times, one of United's bright attacking players, despite not having a main striker. Did all he could to help his side get back into the match. Was replaced by Kehinde.

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Matty Willock

Starting as the main attacking player, but it was not something that would work against this resurgent Everton side who had conceded only two goals in seven matches before this evening. United need some attacjing imspiration to break down teams like this, for that reason it was never going to be something United got the better of tonight.

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Substitutes

35 Demetri Mitchell

Replaced Scott. From his introduction, Mitchell looked bright, especially on the ball. Tried to get United back into the game, but it just was not his or United's night. Sloppy with the ball at times.

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Matthew Olosunde

Replaced Williams. Spent the last day or so ill, which may not have seen him in the right frame to play this evening, did well during his time on the pitch, but United did not benefit from anything they tried to throw in Everton's direction.

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Tosin Kehinde

Replaced Hamilton. Played well form his introduction 17 minutes from the end of the match. Could have created something for United in the final minutes with Everton's sound defence thwarting United's chance.

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Filed Under: Academy, Managers, Opinion, Player Ratings, U23's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Report: Manchester United U23’s fall to a 2-0 defeat to Everton

26 September 2016 by

Manchester United were beaten 2-0 by a resurgent Everton side after Regan Poole made a defensive error which saw Dominic Calvert-Lewin open the scoring in the first half. A second half header by Oumar Naisse, Everton’s 26-year-old striker purchased only this summer, saw Warren Joyce’s side fall further behind. United did not look the best side on the pitch today, but if not for the determination of Axel Tuanzebe, it could have been a humiliating match for United.

Warren Joyce selected a strong team to face Everton with Sam Johnstone returning to the starting XI. Ro-Shaun Williams, a substitute a week ago comes back in as a starter after suffering an injury at the start of the season, replacing Scott McTominay in the XI, who suffered a knock against Derby County last week and was not fit enough to start, or take part in the match this week. Ilias Moutha-Sebtaoui and 16-year-old Lee O’Connor made the bench with Joyce looking to find a good fit of experience, at this level at least, and youth in order to create a side that will press their opposition.

Manchester United started well in the match and needed to as they are up against £13.5 million signing Oumar Naisse who was purchased by Everton in the summer. United seemed to be pressing forward well, but not quite getting into forward positions to threaten the home side, who have been scoring lots of goal this season, conceding twice in seven matches up until tonight. United could do with a clinical striker against a team like Everton, which could be something they take a fall for. United had the right attitude though, showing the ‘never give up’ attitude they shoed last week against Derby County.

United found themselves chasing the game after a backpass to Regan Poole, who made a massive error by trying to pass the ball back out, not hitting it hard enough, only for Everton to take possession with Dominic Calvert-Lewin opening the scoring this evening. United now had to chase the game, against the odds, with no main attacking outlet. Determination may be key to United getting a result from this match tonight. United had some chances to get back into the game, but faced the same problem again in that their side lacks a striker to cause damage to the opposition.

The first half ended 1-0 to Everton with United not losing that determination they had the last week. Everton, despite being much stronger are not really ahead through their own doing with a United mistake getting them the goal they led the first half with. United were getting forward, just not getting the chances through on goal which could cause the problems needed to find a goal themselves. Conceding only two goals in seven matches would suggest they are a sound defensive side, which will make it so much more difficult for United the break through. Warren Joyce will have been vocal in the dressing room at half time, giving his team the instructions to get back into the match in the second half.

United started the second half well, looking to cause some damage to the home side in order to give Joyce a reaction he will have asked for during the break. United have bags of talent at this level, but seemed to be out of sorts. In the 53rd minute of the match Naisse scored the second goal for Everton with a header in which he did not even need to jump, which was down to United’s poor defending. United seemed to be out of the match now with a lot of work to put in to get level, which seems out of reach at this moment in time. Manchester United made their first change around the hour with Demetri Mitchell replacing Charlie Scott.

United on the attack through Harrop, who was then fouled at the edge of the box, the referee gave the advantage with Mitchell overhitting his cross into the box, which did not have many United players in it. United then made their second change with Matthew Olosunde, who has been ill over the past day or so, replacing Ro-Shaun Williams, who did not have the best of matches, but coming back after injury may mean he will need some time to get back up to speed. United made their third and final change of the evening with Tosin Kehinde replacing Ethan Hamilton. United have 15 minutes to try and get back into the game, with nothing other than another away defeat looking certain right now.

In the final few minutes of the match, United, still two goals down, looked to get something from that match, if only a consolation goal. Tosin Kehinde slalommed his run through to the goal, dispatching his effort which was eventually cleared off the line for Everton to get the better of this United side once more. United were unlucky perhaps not to find a goal, which was their best opportunity this evening. Four minutes of added time was played with United not taking anything from the game, losing their second league match of the season, another away from home. United now have a three-week break at this level before that face Liverpool on Tuesday 18th October 2016, the day after the first team take on their bitter rivals at Anfield. Warren Joyce will be looking for all or nothing in that fixture in order to get United winning again.

Manchester United: Johnstone; Williams (Olosunde 64′), Tuanzebe, Poole, Riley; Redmond, Scott (Mitchell 61′); El Fitouri, Harrop, Hamilton (Kehinde 73′); Willock

Substitutes Not Used: Moutha-Sebtaoui, O’Connor

Bookings: Sadiq El Fitouri, Josh Harrop

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copyright: JW