The next Class of 92? Manchester United Under-18s win league title and beat rivals Man City to trophy
Manchester United vs Wolves | All Goals & Highlights | U18 Premier League
The United Colts beat Wolves 2-1 on Wednesday courtesy of a brace from Gabriele Biancheri to win the Premier League North title. They are now 16 points above rivals and second-placed Manchester City with just two games to go in the season.
P22. W19. D2. L1.
Our young Reds = #U18PL North Division CHAMPIONS! ππ#MUFC || #MUAcademy pic.twitter.com/9J5uO2dbBm
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 16, 2024
United have enjoyed a tremendous season. Remarkably, they were unbeaten in the league until March and that defeat against City is still their only loss.
The only blemish on the win which confirmed United as champions was the substitution of goalkeeper Elyh Harrison, who was replaced due to injury by Tom Myles.
United last won the U18 leagueΒ in 2017/18 and Adam Lawrence’s side has been the club’s biggest success story this year amid a run of difficult results for the first team.
Lawrence has been praised for his tactical acumen and the U18s have played attractive, attacking football, which has seen them score the most goals in the league (74).
United have also conceded the second-fewest goals (24) and they have been head and shoulders above the opposition on their way to the title.
Biancheri has scored 10 goals in 10 starts in the league and his goals, along with Ethan Williams’ and Ethan Wheatley’s, have been crucial in firing the team to the title.
There are exciting midfielders in the side, from Jack Fletcher to Finley McAllister, James Scanlon, Zach Baumann, Jacob Devaney and Jayce Fitzgerald, and impressive defenders.
Harry Amass, Jack Kingdon, Louis Jackson, Jaydan Kamason and James Nolan have featured in defence and every player in the squad has contributed along the way.
Over the last year, Shea Lacey, Jack and Tyler Fletcher, Amass, Wheatley, Kamason and Biancheri have allΒ signed their first professional contractsΒ at the club.
The U18s were expected to go deep in the FA Youth Cup this term and they were stunned when being knocked out of the competition by Swindon Town in January.
Lawrence only took charge of the U18s last summer andΒ he spoke to the MEN before Christmas. “Young players are competitive individuals – they want to win games, they want to perform at a good level,” he said when asked about the flawless league run.
“I think it’s testament to the group that since pre-season, you’ve seen the development and the way that the team has evolved up until now, the individual development within that and then the style and some of the football the lads have played.
“There’s a lot to go after in terms of the bigger picture, but a lot of like really good moments in games as well so far.”
Former United player Phil Jones has also been part of Lawrence’s coaching staff.
U18s XI vs Wolves: Harrison, Kamason, Nolan, Kingdon, Jackson, McAllister (C), Scanlon, Baumann, Biancheri, J. Fletcher & Williams.
Subs: Devaney, Myles, Curley, Missin, Lacey.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The Cityzens dominated the U18 league in the past few seasons, having won the title four times in a row before the Red Devils clinched the trophy this year. After the title win, the club’s director of academy Nick Cox paid a special tribute to the youngsters and their manager Adam Lawrence and his coaching staff.
WHAT HAS BEEN SAID
Speaking on the club’s momentous achievement, Cox said, “I am extremely proud of what Adam Lawrence, the staff and the players have been able to achieve this season. The players have been stretched, with exposure to numerous competitions and age-group games, whilst also supporting the first-team squad. They have consistently risen to each challenge that we have intentionally designed for them and accomplished something really special together.
“Individual player development is always our primary aim but competing to win under pressure is vital. Both of those objectives have been achieved with players enjoying the challenging yet supportive environment and harnessing a winning mentality to experience team success.”
