MATCH RECAP- Manchester United U23s vs Leicester City U23s

Set Up

Manchester United’s U23s traveled to LCFC Training Ground on Monday and took on Leicester City’s U23s. The Reds were looking to bounce back from their bitter 6-1 defeat to Chelsea’s U23s last time out. While they did improve, Neil Wood’s side still suffered a difficult 4-2 loss. The game was closer than the score line appears, and United were unlucky.  Let’s get into the match.  

First Half

Disaster struck early for United. In the 1^st minute the Red’s goalie, Matej Kovar, passed the ball directly to Leicester’s Jacob Wakeling. Wakeling found Callum Wright, who then quickly made it 1-0 Leicester.  United looked as if they were going to equalize, with some dangerous attacks down the wings. However, Kovar’s misfortune continued in the 14^th minute, when Thanawat Suengchitthawon beat the keep near post to make it 2-0 Leicester. Two errors by Kovar, two goals for Leicester.

The Red’s did not give in and continued to fight. Their spirit was rewarded with two Anthony Elanga goals. The first came immediately after Leicester’s second goal. In the 16^th minute, Hannibal smartly found Elanga, who quickly buried the ball into the side netting. Then just before the end of the half, in the 46^th minute, Elanga was able to convert a brilliant cross from Harvey Neville. The half ended 2-2.

Second Half

Kovar’s day did not improve in the second half. Immediately in the 47^th minute, he was caught in no-mans land and Jacob Wakeling chipped the United keeper, making it 3-2 Leicester. The Red’s looked deflated by the goal but continued to fight. However, the clock struck twelve when Suengchitthawon got his second goal, making it 4-2 Foxes and that is where it ended.

Wrap Up

United fought hard through out the game and one cannot question their spirit. However, they were not enough to overcome Kovar’s errors in goal. There were positives though. Elanga was able to bag a brace and earn the man of the match for United. The loss sees United drop to 10^th in the PL2 table. The Reds will look to turn it around against Liverpool on the January 30^th.