United went out of the FA Youth Cup early on for the second year running, but in stark contrast to Chelsea’s 5-1 mauling last season, this time it was heart-break for McKenna’s side after dominating the match, Southampton hit two late goals, cancelling out Tahith Chong’s stunning opener. Here are the player ratings from Monday night’s 2-1 defeat.
5/10 Illias Moutha-Sebtaoui – Could have done better with the second Southampton goal from distance and also looked nervy under the high ball, other than that had little to do.
6/10 George Tanner – Worked up the right flank well but rarely got forward as the play was often shifter to the left-wing instead.
7/10 Jake Kenyon – Worked hard up and down the left, comfortable in possession and also claimed an assist for Chong’s goal.
8/10 Tyrell Warren – Stepped in as captain and swept up all of Southampton’s long balls to neutralise any threat on the counter, had a solid night all round.
8/10 Lee O’Connor – Looked comfortable at centre-back despite it not being his preferred position, composed on the ball he formed a good partnership with Warren.
7/10 Callum Whelan – Gave balance to the midfield and provided the front four a platform for which they could attack, knowing Whelan would supply them again and again.
7/10 Ethan Hamilton – Got forward more often than Whelan and was in the wars all night, visibly tired towards the end of the match when Southampton scored both goals.
6/10 DJ Buffonge – Had a quiet night on the right as he saw little of the ball, made way for Chong in the second half.
7/10 Callum Gribbin – Found the space in midfield well but didn’t see much of the ball in the second half and failed to produce any quality balls into the box.
8/10 Angel Gomes – Sharp interplay with Gribbin and the wings, also produced great ball in the build up to the goal. However not his best game when you look at his very high standards.
6/10 Joshua Bohui – Ran hard up front, but was isolated at times and offered little when holding the ball up, flashes of talent but not enough times during the match.
8/10 Tahith Chong – Changed the game when he came on, first touch was a beautiful backheel, his second minutes later brought the ball down, his third smashed it in on the turn. Should have started in a match like this however.
5/10 Indy Boonen – Too late to make an impact on the game
5/10 Nishan Burkart – Thrown on desperately at the end as United were looking for a goal but too late for him to make any impact on the match
Chelsea 3-1 United (Tuanzebe, Sterling, Quintero, Maddox)
United went down to a strong Chelsea side on Friday night despite Axel Tuanzebe’s early goal and a penalty save from Kieran O’Hara in front of a large crowd at Aldershot.
You know what you’re getting when United play Chelsea at youth level. A feisty, intense game against 11 physical and technically gifted players who will most likely be tossed aside to Vitesse on loan before they never really break into the first-team.
Chelsea have dominated youth football over the past decade, with countless FA youth cups and various other trophies. So it was set up to be a tough game on a cold night in Aldershot.
However Axel Tuanzebe claimed his first goal at reserve level heading in a pinpoint Goss corner early on to give United a shock lead. However Chelsea hit back with the talented Dasilva carving through the side as he created Dujon Sterling’s equaliser.
It could have been worse as Willock gave away a clumsy penalty which Kieran O’Hara heroically saved just before the break. However this only delayed the invitable as Chelsea struck two more goals in the second half through Quintero and Maddox.
The under-23 side are yet to win since Warren Joyce departed for Wigan and Nicky Butt took control. It is worrying to see such little attacking presence and older players settled in the side with no intention of breaking into the first-team, as it looks to be a long way to the end of the season for this side.
Man of the Match: His left foot is worth more to the side than anything else, Sean Goss‘ deliveries were lethal all night as he controlled the midfield to the best of his abilities, but with not many runners in front of him his talents can be wasted.
Line up: O’Hara 8, Olosunde 6, Poole 6, Tuanzebe 8, Scott 7, Goss 8, Redmond 6, Willock 5 (Kehinde 5), McTominay 6 (Doughty 5), Harrop 7, Mitchell 6
Subs: Johnstone, Kehinde (Willock), Barlow (Scott), Boonen, Doughty (McTominay)
Mid-Season Loan Ratings
The six United loanees seem to be struggling at their clubs, and some could be returning in Januray to help bolster the under-23s, here is how they are getting on.
4/10 Adnan Januzaj – Injured after a promising start under Moyes, scored one goal before getting injured as Sunderland have been struggling in the league Januzaj has been featuring for their under 23s whilst returning to full fitness.
Best Moment: Scoring his only goal from outside the box against Shrewsbury in the EFL cup.
3/10 Cameron Borthwick-Jackson – After winning man of the match on his debut it was all down hill from there as the Wolves manager; Walter Zenga was sacked after 87 days. Paul Lambert came in, and since Borthwick-Jackson hasn’t been getting any game time. Lambert said he ‘trains well’ but he will most likely return him to United in January.
Best Moment: Winning the man of the match award on his debut against Burton Albion.
1/10 Dean Henderson – 12 substitue appearances for Grimsby, but no starts as of yet. Seems to be wasting his time on the bench and has even returned briefly to United to play for the under 23’s.
Best Moment: Your guess is as good as mine
6/10 Joel Pereira – Fighting to be number one at Belenenses. Making 12 appearences so far he has had some good perfroamcnces, but just not on a regular basis.
Best Moment: keeping 2 clean sheets against FC Porto in 3 days.
6/10 Andreas Pereira – Seems to be the only loanee getting game time. However Granada are struggling, sitting second from bottom in LaLiga with a mere 9 points.
Best Moment: Scoring his first goal for Granada against Sevilla
1/10 James Wilson – Made 8 appearences including 4 starts for Derby, scoring 1 goal. Ruptured knee ligaments in training and subsequently returned to United for treatment.
Best Moment: Scoring his solitary goal against Doncaster in the EFL trophy.
Next Match
United v Sparta Prague | Thursday 15th Dec | Leigh Sports Village | 7pm
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