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Manchester United Under-18s hosted Derby County Under-18s for the lunchtime kick-off at Carrington on Wednesday.
The two sides clashed in the FA Youth Cup last month, leaving United needing extra time to seal victory after a superb performance from Derby keeper Cristiano Dzialuk.
There were a number of notable spectators in Carrington for the match today, including Michael Carrick and his backroom staff, as well as United legends Wayne Rooney and John O’Shea.
First half
United started strongly, as Welsh striker Louie Bradbury put the young Red Devils ahead in the sixth minute. Jacob Watson’s corner was spilled by the keeper before Jay McEvoy crossed the ball back across goal for Bradbury to finish from close range.
Noah Ajayi came into the match in good form and impressed early on, working with Watson to send the defender into the penalty area, but the left-back’s effort was saved at the near post.
Darren Fletcher’s side were in control for most of the half but the visitors looked set to hit the counter, forcing Albert Mills to clear in the 25th minute.
Two minutes later, Mills cleared the line again after Cameron Byrne-Hughes was caught rushing out of his goal, but this time Mills could only get back to Derby’s Sean Corry, who leveled the match at 1–1.
In the 41st minute, Ajayi was hacked into the penalty area to earn a penalty, which was superbly sent into the roof of the net by JJ Gabriel.
Gabriel returned the favor just before the break, bringing down Mills’ diagonal ball on the left wing before sliding it inside to Ajayi, who unleashed a piledriver from 25 yards past Dzialuk.
Second half
Gabriel opened up Derby’s backline early in the half with magical footwork, only to see his shot fly over goal and narrowly wide.
Bradbury scored his second of the match in the 66th minute, collecting the ball after Gabriel had been tackled and hitting quickly from the edge of the penalty area into the bottom left corner.
Minutes later, Derby were awarded a penalty of their own when Byrne-Hughes came sliding out of his goal and appeared to win the ball, but the referee ruled it a foul. The United keeper made up for it by making a big save to deny Israel Green.
Manchester United ran away with it towards the end, with Gabriel running into the heart of the Derby defenders, who retreated until the 15-year-old took his place in the bottom left corner.
Ajayi rounded off the scoring in the 81st minute – his fourth goal in three appearances – with what was the best of the bunch.
Ajayi ran all the way into the penalty area from the halfway line, skipping between two defenders before finishing low to make it 6-1.
United now turn their attention to next week’s Premier League Cup semi-final, where they will host West Ham United.
Match facts
Manchester United: Byrne Hughes; Helafu, Mills, Armer (c), J. Watson; McEvoy (McCormack 76), Shah (D. Nkoto 59); Brown (B. Nkoto 70), Gabriel, Ajayi; Bradbury (Rooney 70)
Unused subs: Heath
Scorers: Bradbury 6, 67; Gabriel 41 (pen), 73; Ajayi 45, 81
Booked: McEvoy
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