Set Up
Manchester United U23s were looking to extend their winning streak against Arsenal’s U23s, which the Devils were able to do, making it three wins in a row with a commanding 3-0 performance. Rarely does a 3-0 win feel like there were goals left on the pitch. However, playing a man up for most of the game the Reds will feel like they could have gotten more out of the match. A good aspect of the game was that Joe Hugill and Shola Shoretire were able to find the back of the net yet again. However, Hannibal did leave with a knock midway through the first half, so hopefully it isn’t too serious because that guy can flat out play. Either way let’s jump into the game.
First Half
The story of the first half starts with a foul in the box on the foul magnet himself, Hannibal. It all occurred less than 10 minutes into the game, one of Arsenal’s defenders picked up a red card and United were given a shot from the spot. A shot that Joe Hugill would shoot and have blocked, but never fear old Joey made up for it. After the red card, Arsenal were mostly defending, which is fair because they had 10 men. In the 22nd minute, Joe Hugill smartly found Harvey Neville in the box. Neville buried the ball into the back of the net and it was 1-0 United.
As stated above, Hannibal left the match after the goal with a knock, hopefully he’ll have a speedy recovery. It is no wonder he was injured though with the amount of fouls committed on him each game. It is starting to look as if fouling Hannibal is the only strategy teams have to stop him, and it is not a great one because he still dominates. Near the end of the first half, Shoretire rattled the woodwork on a free kick and almost made it 2-0, but almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. The half ended 1-0 to the good.
Second Half
The second half was started poorly by United with the Gunners looking to equalize and coming close. United’s keeper, Matej Kovar, did well to keep the Gunners at bay and keep his side ahead. Joe Hugill was clearly still upset about the Arsenal keeper blocking his penalty because in the 59th minute he extracted vengeance. Hugill picked up a brilliant pass from Alvaro Fernandez in the box. Then he proceeded to flick it behind his leg and through the keepers legs. Good old Joey megged the keeper, embarrassed him, and made it 2-0 United all at once. Simply brilliant.
United was not done, they continued to hit the woodwork, which was quickly becoming the best defender Arsenal had on the pitch. Then Shoretire was fouled in the box at the very end of the game. The penalty was awarded, Shola stepped up to the spot, and made it 3-0 United. A well deserved goal for an absolutely incredible game from Shoretire. His pace and control caused chaos all match for the Gunners. The game ended 3-0 United.
Wrap Up
United was unlucky to not have scored more goals. One could argue though they were also lucky to have not conceded. Either way a 3-0 win is a 3-0 win, and fans will take that any day of the week. Joe Hugill was the man of the match, with an assist and a goal in the game. He more than made up for his missed penalty in the first half. Shoretire was also incredible throughout the match and deserved his goal.
Hugill has now scored 6 in his last 3 games, and Shoretire has put away 4 goals in his last 2 games. These guys are simply goal scoring machines. The win puts the Reds in 4th on the PL2 table. The win also makes it 3 wins in a row for United. They will look to extend that streak against Everton on Monday the 22nd at 2:00PM EST. There is no reason why this streak cannot keep on rolling for another game.
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