Reserves

Manchester United 2-1 Athletic Club Bilbao

Manchester United 1-1 Manchester City

The reserves had two games in three days this week as Premier League International Cup and Premier League 2 action came in full flow. The reds hosted Athletic Club Bilbao on Wednesday evening in their second game of the competition. They took all three points, winning 2-1 at Leigh Sports Village Stadium.

Marcos Rojo played his first 45 minutes since his knee injury last April but was unable to do anything to prevent Athletic Club Bilbao’s fantastic opener. The visitors opened the scoring after just nine minutes through Guruzeta’s sublime volley. However, Ricky Sbragia’s side battled hard in an entertaining affair. James Wilson scored again, leveling the game after 47 minutes with a composed headed finish.

United took the lead in the 82nd minute as Ethan Hamilton hit a left-foot shot after great work from McTominay and Kehinde. It got heated in the last minutes of the game and substitute Callum Gribbin was shown a card, but the reds held on to maintain their 100 percent record in the competition. Their next game in the Premier League International Cup will be against Celtic on December 2, at Leigh Sports Village Stadium.

On Saturday afternoon United welcomed noisy neighbors Manchester City and fought to a 1-1 draw. United took the lead midway through the second half when in-form James Wilson ran half the length of the field and slotted neatly from the angle. United continued to press and were unfortunate not to double the lead, as City’s keeper Muric denied Dearnley’s curled effort brilliantly.

United were pegged back shortly after the break when Lukas Nmecha found the net from a cross. It was a back and forth second half in an enthralling derby encounter. United may feel hard done by with only securing a point, City on the other hand have their keeper to thank.

The result leaves United a point behind City in the Premier League 2 Division 1 table, sitting in seventh place. They return to action Monday, 27 November, travelling to Everton.

U-18s

Blackburn Rovers 1-4 Manchester United

Angel Gomes returned to the starting line-up after the World Cup Winner enjoyed a small but well-deserved break. His talent was evident as he helped the young red devils to a convincing 4-1 away win at Blackburn on Saturday afternoon.

Gomes continues to make his name known as a dead-ball specialist, after he opened the scoring on the 36th minute from a free-kick. He almost doubled his tally from a similar situation, but Blackburn goalkeeper Matt Campbell was equal to his effort on this occasion.

United made it 2-0 shortly after the break after James Garner’s attempt deflected off the Blackburn captain and past the helpless goalkeeper. Gomes grabbed his second of the day, producing some magical footwork before dispatching a right-footed effort past the rooted Campbell. Gomes was substituted after his efforts but United did not stop without his presence. They made it four shortly after the third goal, when Mellor headed home from a corner. Blackburn did grab a consolation goal late on in the contest but United’s three points were all but secure.

The young reds will be confident sitting at the top of the table with six wins in nine league games this season. Next week’s mouthwatering away encounter with neighbors Manchester City is a must win for United, with the noisy neighbors sitting two points behind the reds with two games in hand.