Academy 5 v 0 Leeds Utd – Report

On a day when very little mattered in terms of result, United produced an exciting, well drilled performance against a young, inexperienced Leeds United team that simply couldn’t compete. Paul McGuiness fielded a strong team with the youth cup final just around the corner. Michele Fornasier missed out due to an apparent hernia injury that threatens to rule  him out of the final, so Sean McGinty moved into the middle with Tyler Blackett, playing possibly his last game of the season due to suspension, slotting in at left back. Larnell Cole has a dead leg and wasn’t involved today but he shouldn’t have any worries about making the final.

Within 8 minutes United had taken the lead after a lively start led to a corner that was headed in by Captain Tom Thorpe at the second attempt, it wasn’t the only aerial battle to be won by Thorpe today, he and McGinty were immense at the back and proudly dealt with any Leeds United attempt to get the ball over United’s defence.

Five minutes later, thirteen minutes into the match United had arguably sealed victory. Morrison, Pogba, Van Velzen, Keane, Lingard and Tunnicliffe all combined on the edge of the box to create an opportunity to get into the box. They pushed and probed in and out until Morrison was clumsily bundled over about 22 yards out. Tunnicliffe rifled the freekick into the right hand corner. It was a great strike from Tunnicliffe and just reward for a tremendous start to the game, his drive and determination were again at the heart of everything United were trying to do. The combination of Tunnicliffe’s drive, Pogba’s elegance and Morrison’s trickery meant United could arguably have dominated this young Leeds United team with just them and the defence. The trio have forged an understanding that’s rarely captured at any level, let alone this one.

Understanding is something this squad seems to have in buckets. It isn’t just the trio mentioned that obviously enjoy playing with each other, it’s the entire squad that appear’s to have a showy sense of trust in their ability and awareness. Credit must, I think, be given to the manager who’s methods are quite clearly getting through to the boys and giving them and the team the platform to go out and not only play and usually win, but enjoy their games and play with a certain confident swagger that rarely crosses the line into cockiness.

After a short halftime break and a well deserved goal for Will Keane on 54 minutes, it was now that United really lavished some skills and entertainment into the game. In a brief spell lasting a couple of minutes, Morrison was unlucky his shot from outside the box was deflected onto the post and out for a corner. From the corner Pogba was unlucky not to add to his ’spectacular goal’ tally for the season (I think back to Portsmouth in the FAYC) when his scissors kick was deflected over for another corner. And then from that corner a Will Keane header was cleared off the line which was close enough to inspire a semi collective shout for “goal-line technology!” from the stands. These weren’t the only chances created in that 15 minute spell after the break, but each attempt on goal and missed opportunity was sarcastically and benevolently laughed about amongst the players who were now just trying to fill their boots.

Then it was time for the introduction and return of John Cofie to typify the players’ enthusiasm. With Rio Ferdinand watching on from the sidelines (Rio would later go on to ‘Tweet’ that he had been watching and called it a “talent show”) the team continued to create chances. On 60 minutes there was an opportunity for Gyliano Van Velzen to capture a moment that summed up the camaraderie within the team. He (GVV) has failed to find the net this season and I’m well aware he’s faced a light hearted ribbing from the squad (as light hearted as it can be with 17/18 year old lads!). When he tapped in a rebound from a few yards out the entire team set off to mob him and congratulate him, I’m sure the players’ rapturous laughter was as sarcastic as it sounded and was as affectionate as it looked.

On 69 minutes Cofie had a shot parried to the feet of Will Keane who flicked in his 14th Academy goal of the season and was then replaced by Tom Lawrence after looking like taking a knock in the process. It was an impressive display of football and attitude from Keane who was a constant threat. On another day he could easily have had a hat-trick, but he also worked hard for the team tracking back if and when he lost the ball.

The scoring was over but the fun wasn’t complete. United continued to open up the Leeds defence and Cofie was unlucky not to be rewarded with a goal after some nice through balls from Lawrence. Cofie chased balls down with a huge smile on his face for the whole time he was on the field, his desire and his personality seem infectious and epitomises the United way. Barring a silly wreckless tackle from Pogba late on that earned him a yellow card, United’s performance was polished and almost flawless. If they can take this sort of form and zest into the final we’re surely in with a terrific chance of replicating the feats achieved by the squads of 53-57, 92, 95 & 03.

Team: Johnstone, M Keane, Blackett, Thorpe, McGinty, Tunnicliffe, Lingard, Pogba, W Keane, Morrison, Van Velzen.

Subs: Cofie, Lawrence, Sutherland, (Not used) - Leao, Ekangamene

So all in all a satisfying end to the Academy League season finishing in 5th position. After Liverpool failed to beat Wolves yesterday Everton take the title by a point.

Don’t forget, you can follow my match updates and daily United banter on Twitter: @Rimmerstweets.

Good Luck!

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Category: Manchester United