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Manchester United U21 vs AS Monaco U19: Pre Match Report
The Manchester United U21 side take on the very talented AS Monaco U19 in the latter sides first fixture in the Premier League International Cup, and Manchester United's second following their disappointing 0-0 draw to the Sparta Prague youth side.
The United U21s name a much changed side from the disappointing result in their first fixture, naming 4 changes. The lineups see Tom Huddlestone, Sam Murray, Tyler Fredricson and Dan Gore leave the lineup to be replaced by Marc Jurado playing right back, Rhys Bennett playing centre back and Kobbie Mainoo and Charlie Savage coming in to the midfield 3. These changes will hopefully see the Manchester side transition the ball better from midfield to attack and create more clear cut chances for their forwards, which they have struggled with at times in their disappointing campaign so far this season.
Charlie McNeill will definitely be looking to redeem himself after his poor showing in the match against Sparta, as he missed a penalty in the 12th minute which would have seen United victorious. Although his immense talent, which saw Ten Hag grant him his first team debut earlier this season, McNeill has had a very uncharacteristically poor start to this season, scoring once and assisting once in his first 13 appearances in the Premier League 2, where the club sit in 11th place.
Tonight also sees a huge opportunity for the Monaco youngsters, as a trip to Old Trafford doesn't come around often for a youngster playing youth football. This will be a big test for these players, as they have an opportunity to show why they're leading the way in the Championnat National Under 19 Group D and that they can keep up with the English game. Youngsters like captain Félix Lemaréchal, Soungouto Magassa, and first team player Sofiane Diop's younger brother Edan will all be hoping to impress, and good performances from these players will be key for them winning.
Manchester United U21 vs AS Monaco U19 Match Report
As the game kicks off, it is very clear how strong this Monaco side is, it will take a huge performance for United to get anything here. As the game gets going it's very clear the real battle will be in the midfield, with Charlie Savage seeming to struggle from the start, Mainoo and Hansen-Aaroen seem very much up to the task of imposing themselves and bettering Magassa and Lemaréchal, with the latter seeming extremely comfortable on the ball right from the get go, yet his shooting from distance is clearly in need of work.
After a couple of half chances for the French side, the best chance so far comes through McNeill, who is played through by a majestic trivela through ball by Mainoo, and as the striker bursts past the defenders, he takes the ball too far wide and subsequently drags his effort well wide.
Following a short break as the referee is down injured, the Norweigan Hansen-Aaroen is looking a whole different level t everyone else on the pitch, with his tricky feet aiding him in shrugging off Magassa and firing a effort at goal from distance, which the keeper punches over the bar.
Not long later, winger Emeran comes flying in at the back post but sees his effort sail over the bar. Manchester United are in their groove, looking incredibly strong.
Following some great pieces of defending by the likes of Hardley and Bennett, who have looked excellent so far, Savage is robbed of the ball on the edge of his box following a poor pass by Mastny, he is forced to make a wonderful save to stop Enzo Baglieri's strike.
With the tempo having died, the half ends 1-1.
10 minutes into the second half, the French side are looking much stronger than the home side, who are starting to struggle.
The best chance of the game then comes in, as Emeran plays Forson through 1 on 1 against the keeper, but he sees his strike saved, he should've done much better.
After a poor Savage shot, United sub off winger Emeran for centre half Kambwala, not the most inspiring of changes.
Minutes later Monaco take the lead, as the whole United backline rush towards the goal line to mark ths strikers, and their midfielders are nowhere to be seen, Coulibaly breezes into the box, recieves the ball, takes his time and finishes very well, very deserved goal based on the second half.
Straight after the goal, Mcneill misses a huge chance from close range, he'll be very disappointed in himself.
As Huddlestone replaces Mcneill, it seems as if United are dead and buried.
As the game quiets down for the latter stages, with the only real entertainment for the fans being to throw paper airplanes onto the pitch, Monaco seal the victory in injury time, with a good finish by substitute Kouassi.
This is closely followed by the full time whistle, with Monaco very deserved winners.
Manchester United U21 vs AS Monaco U19 Post Match Report
A very end to end game of football saw Monaco come out as the deserved victors. This gives them the perfect start to the Premier League International Cup competition, and a good feeling going into their next game against Arsenal.
Although they will be very disappointed with the result, their were many positives to take with the performance.
For starters, the defence looked impenetrable at times, Bennett was arguably the best player on the pitch, Hardley and Mengi also looking very solid. When switching to a back 5 however they did struggle, maybe they aren't used to playing that way, or Mainoo being moved further forward lost them some cover, but the switch essentially killed any chance United had.
Also for the most part, the midfield battle was very well won by United's three. Although Savage clearly struggled, Mainoo and Hansen-Aaroen where incredible, both looking very good for the future, arguably the two most exciting players currently playing in the academy. The late changes did effect them though, with fan Jack saying when I interviewed him after the game, "poor management is again holding these players back, Mainoo is definitely best playing deeper, yet Dempsey keeps playing him further forward, even as a striker near the end, this mismanagement could ruin his development."
The forward line once again struggled, with each one of them missing big chances and none were overly effective apart from these chances. If this attack doesn't improve, they will keep disappointing in the league.
The French side made a real statement tonight, they showed they really do have one of the strongest academies in Europe. From the first goalscorer Coulibaly, to the physical midfielder in Magassa, and their very talented captain Lemaréchal, they clearly have a lot of potential household names for years to come in football.