Manchester United U18’s defeated Nottingham Forest’s U18’s 3-1 in the FA Youth Cup final. United’s goals came from Garnacho (twice) and Rhys Bennett. Nottingham Forest’s goal came from Joshua Powell. This is the 11th time that Manchester United have won the FA Youth Cup. Furthermore, Garnacho’s goals were his 18th and 19th goals of the season making it seven in six FA Youth Cup games.
Manchester United U18’s have mixed First half
Manchester United were on the front foot from the get go. On the first minute Kobbie Mainoo had a shot at goal after good footwork inside the box. Minutes later Jamie McDonell headed wide from Dale Taylor’s corner. On the 13th minute Rhys Bennett headed home from Sam Murray set piece to make the score line 1-0 to Manchester United U18’s. What’s more the Nottingham Forest goalkeeper could have done better to keep the header out as he got both hands to the shot.
Just five minutes later Alejandro Garnacho had his first shot at goal, a low effort from outside the box which was comfortably saved. Afterwards Nottingham Forest number 10 Dale Taylor brought Manchester United’s keeper into action with a acrobatic effort. On the 26th minute there were a couple of good chances for Forest. Esapa-Osong and McAdam linked-up down the left wing with the former drilling a low-cross into the box. The ball then ricocheted out to the edge of the penalty area a few times but shots were blocked.
On the 40th minute Garnacho’s shot curled wide. Soon after this on the 44th minute Nottingham Forest equalised after Josh Powell’s low shot went straight threw the United goalkeeper’s hands.
Manchester United were much better in the second half
The Red Devils started the second half well. Just four minutes in the second half Charlie McNeil had a shot comfortably saved. A minute later United number two Marc Jurado shot from outside the box troubled Nottingham Forest’s goalkepper. Nottingham did have a chance on their own on the 67th minute when Dale Taylor and Joshua Powell linked up well together with the latter floating a cross into the penalty area looking for Detlef Esapa-Osong, but Vitek was quick off his line to catch it.
On the 77th minute Garnacho sent the Nottingham Forest keeper the wrong way from the penalty spot after a controversial penalty. Penalty was controversial as the foul was outside the box. On the 92nd minute Garnacho came close to adding a third as he fired a shot narrowly over the bar. Just moments later on the 94 minute Garnacho sealed the 3-1 victory after a mazy run, with his shot deflected into the net.
How the FA Youth Cup was won
- Manchester United 4-2 Scunthorpe( Mather, Garnacho, Oyedele, McNeil)
- Reading 1-3 Manchester United (Mainoo, Mather, McNeill)
- Man United 4-1 Everton (McNeil, Mainoo, Mather, Garnacho)
- Manchester United 2-1 Leicester (Garnacho x2)
- Man United 3-0 Wolves (McNeil x2, Garnacho)
- Manchester United 3-1 Nottingham (Bennett, Garnacho x2)
