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Manchester United’s U18s opened their 2025/26 campaign with an away trip to Everton on Saturday morning.
The match marked the first competitive fixture for Darren Fletcher as the new U18 manager.
Fielding a very young side, United’s starting XI included two players still eligible for U15s football in JJ Gabriel and Douka Nkoto.
First half
It was the former, who was at the heart of everything positive from the off. Gabriel linked up with Amir Ibragimov before using his quick feet to get a shot off which was saved.
In the 23rd minute, Gabriel was nudged in the back inside the box, and he subsequently won a penalty.
Ibragimov, who wore the captain’s armband, tucked the ball into the bottom right corner from the spot to give United a one-goal lead.
Gabriel continued to threaten throughout the half but was unable to beat Douglass Lukjanciks in the Everton goal.
Second half
The second half continued in the same vein as the first, with United controlling proceedings but struggling to find the back of the net.
Gabriel skipped past one defender with a step-over before seeing his low driven shot saved.
From the ensuing scramble, Edward Ibrovic-Fletcher’s shot was blocked before Gabriel saw another attempt hit the outside of the left post.
Kai Rooney was introduced off the bench for his U18s debut and was inches away from bagging a debut goal.
Fed inside by Ibragimov, Rooney rolled the ball to the side of his marker to open up space and fire a shot off the inside of the post with his weaker right foot.
A last-minute scare came when Everton played a long ball towards United’s box which was missed by Cameron Byrne-Hughes but fortunately, James Overy was alive to the situation to cover and clear off the line.
The final whistle came shortly after to give United the three points in what was a truly dominating performance that did not match the scoreline.
Up next
Darren Fletcher’s side are next in action on Saturday, August 23, when they will host Middlesbrough at Carrington.
They will then open their Premier League Cup campaign on August 27, when Brighton come to visit.
United will also meet Middlesbrough and Birmingham City as a part of the Premier League Cup group stage.
Feature image Ben Roberts photo via Getty Images
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