Down to the bare bones, without a win in three games and facing one of the strongest and most free-scoring sides in academy football, United’s U18s confounded all expectations at Carrington to grind out a gutsy, morale-boosting 2-0 win over Sunderland.
The Black Cats perhaps shaded a cagey first half and were definitely well on top in the early stages of the second, dominating possession and having much the better of the chances. The makeshift Reds eventually weathered the storm however and finished the stronger, Nicky Ajose making the crucial breakthrough in the 81st minute and putting a gloss on the win from the penalty spot two minutes from time.
UNITED
1. Conor Devlin
2. Scott Moffatt
3. Zeki Fryers
4. Michele Fornasier
5. Tom Thorpe
6. Scott Wootton (c)
7. Reece Brown
8. Larnell Cole
9. Cameron Stewart
10. Jesse Lingard
11. Nicky Ajose
Subs not used
13. Liam Jacob
14. Jack Barmby
15. Tyler Blackett
16. Michael Keane
Ref: DI Storrie
Sunderland:B Wilson, Marrs, Adams, N Wilson, Madden, Lamb, Mitchell, Armstrong, Laidler, Fletcher, Wood.
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