VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: Pogba & Lingard help u18s to a draw against Stoke
Stoke who were coming off a run of poor results were largely on the back foot for the first half and Ravel Morrison went close from 25 yards.
Despite United’s dominance it would be the Potters who took the lead just after the break when James Alabi was able to slot home unchallenged after Mitchell squared the ball across the box but their lead would not last.
Jesse Lingard got United back on level terms following good work by Paul Pogba and Michael Keane. The French midfielder despite the attention of a number of Stoke players was able to pick out Michael Keane who’s ball across the box found Jesse Lingard and he duly obliged by putting the ball in Stoke’s net.
Stoke had a penalty shout when Tyler Blackett appeared the handle the ball in the box from a freekick but with nothing given United would go on to take the lead. Van Velzen won the ball from a Stoke defender and played it to Ravel Morrison who burst into the box and using his fine assortment of tricks confused Roberts-Nurse enough to draw a foul despite the player’s protests of making contact with the ball.
Paul Pogba stepped up to take the penalty and sent the keeper the wrong way but even if Parton had guessed right he wouldn’t have got to it anyway such was the power and precision!
Despite Stoke’s continued efforts United looked home and dry but some poor defending from a freekick allowed Alabi to get his second. Cuvelier put the ball into the box, Wint headed it across the goal and Alabi was on hand to put it in to spark off boisterous celebrations from Stoke.
United could have won the tie late but Parton was able to tip Cole’s freekick over the bar whilst Ryan Tunnicliffe shot across goal thus the score remained 2-2.
There are positives to be taken ahead of this Sunday’s FA Youth Cup tie with Liverpool at Anfield, without first choice strikers Cofie and Keane United are still getting goals and in this game as well as the Crewe game particularly enjoyed the lion’s share of possesion.
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