Derby delight in 4-0 victory over United | OneFootball

City’s Under-18s secured the bragging rights in Manchester, after a 4-0 win over United at Carrington to extend the lead at the top of the Under-18s Premier League North.

Oliver Reiss’s team controlled the game from the outset and Ryan McAdioo put City ahead after 20 minutes, placing the ball past Will Murdock after a pinpoint pass from Finlay Gorman.

City accelerated into a bigger lead in the second-half, as Reigan Heskey tapped in our second before Stephen Mfuni powered in a header from a corner.

Luca Fletcher rounded off the scoring with a shot across the keeper as City extended their winning run to 12 matches and inflicted the first league defeat on our Manchester neighbours.

WHAT HAPPENED

After a wealth was laid in memory of the Munich disaster on February 6, today’s match looked to be a tough assignment for Oliver Reiss and his team, as they faced Manchester United in a top-of-the-table clash.

It was the home team that carved open the first opportunity, after they played through City’s press and Chidozie Obi was played in behind a limited City defence, he squared the ball across to James Scanlon who powered his shot onto the crossbar.

The first chance for City came moments later through Finlay Gorman, after the ball was cushioned into him by Divine Mukasa, but his shot rolled into the palms of Will Murdock.

Scanlon was through again after dribbling past City defenders, but his deflected shot was comfortable for Max Hudson.

Rhys Thomas won the ball back in the middle of the park, and played it to Finlay Gorman who played a ball in behind United’s defence for Ryan McAidoo to direct past Murdock and give City the advantage in the derby.

Lovely interchanging play between Gorman Thomas and Matty Warhurst, but the striker’s attempt was too soft and easily decided by Murdock.

Mistake by Parker, who misjudged the flight of the ball, and it fell to United’s striker, Obi, who struck straight at Hudson.

Fast start to the second half, as a team pressed forced United into giving the ball away, and McAidoo dribbled down the right with the ball before sliding a pass across to Reigan Heskey who tapped into an empty net.

In a bid to get back into the match, Harry Amass delivered a ball that met Obi’s head, but the striker could only direct the ball wide of Hudson’s post.

Another strong City press led to Thomas playing through McAidoo, but he was denied a brace after his shot was tipped over by Murdock.

The young Red Devils threatened to get back into the match and nearly pulled one back if not for a goalie clearance from Parker after a Tyler Fletcher shot from six yards out.

City all but sealed the three points when Mukasa whipped in a corner to the back post where Stephen Mfuni rose highest to head in past Murdock.

There were no signs of slowing down either, as Warhurst was played through, but his shot was saved low by the United shot stopper.

Heskey shot saved, recycled to the substitutes as Christian Dunbar-McDonald played through Luca Fletcher who shot across goal to put City four ahead.

United hadn’t given up as Obi was through again, but was once again denied by Obi

HOW WE LINED UP

Reiss selected Max Hudson to start in between the posts, with a back four of Matty Henderson-Hall, Harrison Parker, Kian Noble and Stephen Mfuni protecting him.

Rhys Thomas sat in front of the defence, with Finlay Gorman and Divine Mukasa playing further in front in a midfield trio.

Ryan McAdioo and Reigan Heskey were positioned of the wings supporting Matty Warhurst who led the line.

MAN UTD XI | Murdock, Kamason, Munro (C), Armer, Fletcher, Musa, Fitzgerald, Obi, Thwaites, Scanlon

SUBS | Miles, Byrne-Hughes, Kukonki, Plunkett, Bailey

CITY XI | Hudson, Henderson-Hall, Parker, Noble, Mfuni, Thomas (C), McAidoo, Gorman, Warhurst, Mukasa, Heskey

SUBS | Fletcher, Grigg, Miles, Dunbar-McDonald, Headley

WHAT IT MEANS

A crucial three points for City means we extend the lead on our Manchester rivals to four points, but United have two games in hand over us.

City sit on 37 points, and recorded a twelfth consecutive victory in the league, since a 2-0 defeat to today’s opponents back in August.

WHAT’S NEXT

City have a break from Under-18s Premier League North action in mid week, as they travel to West Yorkshire to face Leeds United in the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup at the LNER Stadium.

Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 (UK) on Tuesday 4 February and CITY+ subscribers will be able to watch every kick of the game live.