Match Report: Manchester United U21’s 0-1 Fulham – Ayden Heaven Makes Debut In Tough Game
Manchester United hosted a really tough opponent tonight in the shape of Fulham’s U21’s at Leigh Sports Village, and it was a chance to give a run out to some of the U18’s looking to gain some more senior experience.
Among the starting eleven was United’s January signing Ayden Heaven, who oozed composure throughout his 45-minute debut, showcasing exactly why Ruben Amorim’s side purchased him to play for the first team. Line breaking is a major asset in senior football, particularly in the Premier League and especially inside Amorim’s three center back system. The early signs Heaven showcased in this game will please the coaching staff internally at United, as he smashed through Fulham’s press with ease on a number of occasions.
Stalemate First Half For United on Heaven Debut
The opening 16 minutes were full of sparring, with neither side landing a killer blow. Terell Works went close enough for Fulham after some good work down the left-hand side after 17 minutes, but in the end it was a comfortable save for Will Murdock in the United goal. Murdock was playing for the first time since his immense performance against Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup last 16, where he made one of the saves of the academy season to help his side on the way to victory.
Most of what was impressive early on for the home side came from Finley McAllister’s metronome-like work in the middle of the park. McAllister, who is something of an unsung hero at Carrington and a true Manchester United lad through and through, was collecting and giving at a lovely rate centrally, keeping United moving along smoothly and tiring Fulham out in central areas.
James Scanlon came close in the 29th minute, but other than that, United struggled to overcome the opposition, who sat second in the Premier League 2 before kick-off, seven points ahead of the Red Devil’s, who sat in fourth.
The best early chance of the game fell to the away side, as Callum Osmond burst down the United left and sped past Munro and Heaven, only to put his finish wide from about 12 yards out. A huge let-off for United, but that didn’t give the side the wake-up call they needed, as Fulham went close again twice within 30 seconds of the other, with Will Murdock making two super stops from Chris O’Donnell and Callum Osmand again to keep the score at 0-0.
Travis Binnion’s team demonstrated remarkable fluidity out of possession, alternating between a 4-4-2/4-2-3-1 formation and occasionally a Ruben Amorim-inspired 5-2-3. The 21’s alternated between these three formations a minute before they broke through for their first clear-cut chance of the half, as Malachi Sharpe nutmegged Bradley De Jesus but unfortunately placed his shot straight at the goalkeeper.
Tyler Fredricson replaced Ayden Heaven at halftime in a pre-planned substitution, and he was thrown straight into action to stop a Fulham attack in the box 30 seconds after halftime. Fredricson would have been bolstered after his inclusion in the first team yesterday against Tottenham, and he looked confident as soon as he entered the pitch for the home side this evening.
Clinical Osmand The Difference Maker:
The away side took the lead around the 55th-minute mark, as a well-timed run from Callum Osmond beyond substitute Fredricson ended up resulting in the first goal, as the striker slammed the ball underneath Will Murdock in the United net. Fulham had created the bigger chances up until that stage in the game, and it would be hard to argue their goal was undeserved despite United having the lion’s share of possession.
Sam Murray was one of the player’s after the Fulham goal trying to push United back into the game as he tried to stretch his legs down the left-hand channel and create an opportunity for his side. Jim Thwaites made way as United pushed for an equalizer and was replaced by Jaydan Kamason, who slotted in on the right-hand side of the forward line, with James Scanlon pushing slightly more central.
United were close to going 2-0 down in the 71st minute, as Fulham broke in behind to slot the ball into the back of the net, only for the offside flag to come to the rescue of Travis Binnion’s side. United allowed that to be somewhat of a wake-up call, as they made a substitute immediately after, replacing Victor Musa with Gabriele Biancheri. Musa cut a frustrated figure up top for most of the evening, as his team struggled to create any clear-cut chances for him.
Jaydan Kamason’s intensity and positivity made a difference off the bench for United, as attacking with width increasingly looked like the answer to the home side’s issues late on, as Fulham continued to stack the midfield in a low block 4-4-2 in the later portions of the game, looking to protect their lead.
Fulham stayed resolute, however, showcasing how well-drilled they are defensively, which is a credit to the work of the backroom staff and the manager, Hayden Mullins. The boys from Carrington pushed with all their might and dominated most of the game in regards to being on the ball, but it was what Fulham did off the ball that won them the game, with Callum Osmond’s class in front of goal proving the only difference. The Cottagers stay joint top of the Premier League 2 level on points with Manchester City, while United stays in fourth, now ten points off the summit.
United didn’t do enough to win the game and lacked that cutting edge and finishing edge that could have made the difference over the 93 minutes. As Nick Cox has maintained in the past when speaking about development, the academy lads and staff always learn and grow more in the face of defeat, so this will not be something the player’s shy away from, particularly due to the fact it’s just their first defeat in six games in the PL2. Onwards and upwards towards the next game for the 21’s against Chelsea on Friday, with the 18’s playing sooner against Wolverhampton Wanderers tomorrow night.
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