U-18s

Newcastle United 2-1 Manchester United

Manchester United U-18s fell to their first defeat since early December with a narrow 2-1 loss away at Newcastle United. Kieran McKenna’s side fought well throughout, but slipped to their third defeat of the season, conceding late in stoppage time.

The first-half was a goalless affair and one without too many chances. United were forced into making an early substitution when Newcastle’s captain Matty Longstaff collided with Aliou Traore, forcing United’s midfielder to go off injured.

Newcastle struck first in the 53^rd minute, when Elias Sorensen finished well past keeper Alex Fojtíček. The set-back seemed to breathe fire into United’s attacking play, and substitute Aiden Barlow came close for the Reds in a flurry of chances, before star player Tahith Chong grabbed an equalizer 15 minutes later.

With 10 minutes remaining on the clock, the referee pointed to the spot in favor of the Reds, after a Magpies player handled the ball in the box. Chong stepped up, but was unable to convert; keeper Otto Huuhtanen guessed right and made the stop to keep the game level.

The young Reds were shocked when Newcastle substitute Mace Goodridge struck late on in stoppage time to give the hosts all three points.

McKenna’s side missed a chance to extend their lead at the top of the table, with Everton breathing down their necks a point behind in second. The showdown with the Toffees in a first against second match-up is next on the fixture list for the Reds, as they host the Merseyside team on the Feb. 24.

UEFA Youth League

Liverpool vs Manchester United

Manchester United U-19s have been drawn against old rivals Liverpool in the UEFA Youth League round of 16. The draw, which took place last Friday, pits United against Liverpool with the possibility of facing either noisy neighbors Manchester City or Internazionale Milano in the quarter-finals if they advance.

Manchester United proceeded to the round of 16, after knocking out Serbian side Brodarac 2-0 in a convincing away performance in Belgrade. United join fellow English sides Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in the next stage of the competition.

The game will be played on Wednesday 21 February at Tranmere Rovers’ Prenton Park Stadium with kick-off set for 15:00 GMT.

UEFA YOUTH LEAGUE ROUND OF 16 DRAW

Bayern Munich v Real Madrid

Manchester City v Inter Milan

Atletico Madrid v FC Basel

FC Porto v FC Salzburg

Paris St-Germain v FC Barcelona

Liverpool v Manchester United

Tottenham Hotspur v AS Monaco

Chelsea v Feyenoord