MATCH RECAP: Manchester United U23s vs Blackburn U23s

Set Up

The Manchester United U23s took on the Blackburn U23s at Leigh Sports Village. Somehow this match had more goals then their previous nine goal game against Liverpool. This 10 goal game, believe it or not, was only 2-2 at halftime. The Devils came back from 4-2 down in the second half to win 6-4. Amad Diallo found a way to outshine his debut by coming away with 3 assists and a goal. Shola Shoretire also had an incredible game with 3 goals and an assist. Let’s take a look at the game.

First Half

The game started quickly with Connor McBride scoring 13 minutes in off a defensive error. The lead only lasted 7 minutes with Shoretire quickly finding Hannibal with an excellent pass. Hannibal then had a brilliant strike inside the box to make it 1-1. Samuel Barnes took the lead back in the 32nd minute for Blackburn off a set piece, but yet again it only lasted 7 minutes. Hannibal started the play with a lovely pass to Diallo. Amad then found Shoretire who smashed it home to equalize. The first half ended 2-2.

Second Half

The second half started as quickly as the first did with Blackburn breaking the deadlock in the 54th minute with a penalty. Then Joe Nolan two minutes later made it 2-4 Blackburn. The match seemed as if it would be a long one, but the Reds were not deterred for one second. Diallo found Shoretire with a beautiful ball in the 73rd minute. Shoretire buried the header to make it 3-4. A minute later Joe Hugill equalized with another header. The game is now 4-4 in the 74th. Mind you, it was 2-4 about 20 minutes prior. The scoring didn’t stop there, four minutes later Shoretire completed his hat trick off another Diallo assist to make it 5-4. Lastly, Diallo brilliantly finished in the 85th minute to get his well deserved goal. The game ended 6-4 United.

Wrap Up

The Reds did well to fight back all game and eventually Blackburn could not hold them off any longer. It was extremely impressive to see a team give up 4 goals and still win. Hannibal had a brilliant game with a goal and an assist. The man of the match would have to be a tie between Shola Shoretire and Amad Diallo. Both players ended the game with 4 goal contributions, Shola with 3 goals and an assist and Amad with 3 assists and a goal. Interestingly enough, Diallo set up every single one of Shoretire’s goals. It seems there is an impressive partnership forming between the squad’s two bright young stars. The win jumps United up to 6th on the PL2 table. They are in action again against Arsenal’s U23s on February 12th at 2:00PM EST.