Musa's Clinical Finish Keeps Man Utd U21s Top of the Pile in Nail-Biter at Reading
Manchester United U21s secured a hard-fought 1-0 win at Reading U21s thanks to Victor Musa's first-half strike, their third in a week. Despite late scares including a crossbar hit, Will Murdock's heroics kept the clean sheet as the young Reds held second in Premier League 2. Shea Lacey starred on his return amid a gritty, end-to-end affair.
Musa’s Clinical Finish Keeps Man Utd U21s Top of the Pile in Nail-Biter at Reading
Imagine kicking off your Friday night at the Madejski Stadium, same time as the big lads are scrapping it out against Bournemouth. That's the scene for Adam Lawrence's Manchester United Under-21s as they rolled into Reading bolstered by Shea Lacey's return from injury. The lad's itching to catch Michael Carrick's eye again – no pressure, eh?
First-Half Scrap: United Strike Gold
It was a proper chess match early doors, with chances thinner than a defender's excuses. Diego Leon finally broke the ice in the 19th minute, jinking past a couple of Royals before unleashing a speculative daisy-cutter that forced a save.
Then Victor Musa turned predator. The Spanish-born frontman nicked the ball high up, charged into the box, and his cutback screamed corner. From the set-piece, Lacey whipped in a beauty to the back stick – cue Musa tapping home from point-blank. That's his third goal in a week after bagging a brace versus Southampton. Clinical, mate.
Reading weren't done. Kiyan Coke-Miles-Smith got in on goal for a one-v-one with Will Murdock, but our keeper stood tall like a Red Wall. United subbed off injured Habeeb Ogunneye for Dan Armer just before the whistle. Half-time: United 1-0.
Second-Half Ding-Dong: Hearts in Mouths
The Royals came out swinging post-interval. Luke Howard and Tyler Sackey had sights but fluffed their lines, slicing wide.
United could've buried it on the hour. Jack Moorhouse's effort got smothered, then Jayce Fitzgerald blazed over. Musa again pulled strings on the right, teeing up Moorhouse – only for Harrison Rhone to claw it away with a proper fingertip save.
It turned proper end-to-end. Reading's Reece Evans volleyed a rocket straight at Murdock, who clung on like his life depended on it. No clean sheets without graft, right?
Sub Chido Obi (on for Lacey) had the seal-the-deal moment late on, breaking clear. Too much thinky-time though – he plonked it wide. Gutting.
Deep into stoppage, David Hicks' free-kick rattled the bar. Inches from heartbreak! But the young Devils held firm for the 1-0 graft.
Young Guns Stay Second in PL2 Hunt
United climb no further but sit pretty in second in the Premier League 2 table. Massive for momentum. Line-up: Murdock; Ogunneye (Armer 45), Jackson, Aljofree (c), Leon; McAllister (McEvoy 80), Fitzgerald; Lacey (Obi 46), J. Fletcher, Moorhouse (Bradbury 86); Musa.
Bookings for Leon, McAllister, and Obi. Unused: Honor. Goal: Musa 29.
Original reporting by The Peoples Person via OneFootball. These kids are buzzing – watch this space, they'll be knocking on Ten Hag's door soon. Proper shift from the lot. Cheers to three points on the road!
(Feature image: Carl Recine via Getty Images)