Manchester United’s Under-18s bounced back from FA Youth Cup disappointment by claiming a dramatic 3-2 win over 10-man Everton at the Aon Training Complex on Saturday morning.
The visitors raced into a two-goal lead through Nathan Broadhead and Liam Walsh, but United hit back just before half-time through Ruairi Croskery’s header. Marcus Rashford’s calm finish drew the Reds level on the hour mark, before Croskery scored a last-gasp winner to seal a fourth straight league win.
Ahead of the game, Paul McGuinness made three changes from the side which suffered defeat in the Youth Cup tie at Tottenham, as Jordan Thompson, Croskery and Demetri Mitchell returned to the line-up.
The first noteworthy chance of the game brought its first goal on 16 minutes. Visiting striker Broadhead produced a tricky solo run and cut in from the right to fire past Dean Henderson and into the corner with the help of a deflection.
United forward Rashford – who scored an excellent free-kick in the defeat to Spurs – almost helped the Reds find an instant response after driving a low cross towards Croskery but his strike partner couldn't find the right connection. Despite the brief improvement by United, Everton’s growth in confidence was clear to see as their possession game began to frustrate the Reds. It was another individual goal which increased the Toffees’ lead on 24 minutes though; Walsh’s free-kick giving Henderson no chance as the ball flew over the wall and bounced into the corner.
McGuinness’ side were determined not to go down without a fight and forced Mateusz Hewelt into a save when Mitchell cut in from the right, beat two defenders and unleashed a shot straight at the Everton keeper. The chance appeared to spark life into United, as the Reds began to show signs of recovery with the game approaching half-time. Tyler Reid breezed past a defender before pulling the ball back for
