Good game last night with the likes of Darren Fletcher , Zaha , Fabio , Varela & Janko getting some playing time.
Blackburn Rovers U21 - 0-2 - Manchester United U21
Barclays U21 Premier League
Monday 2 December 2013
United goals by Zaha & Wilson.
United: Johnstone; Varela, Thorpe, Ekangamene, James; Janko (Pearson 69), Rothwell, Darren Fletcher, Fabio, Zaha; Wilson (A.Pereira 79). Subs not used: Gollini, Love, Barmby, Rudge.
Zaha's goal
Wilson's free kick goal
Wilfried Zaha turned on the style as Manchester United Under-21s defeated Blackburn Rovers 2-0 at the Leigh Sports Village.
The summer arrival from Crystal Palace sparkled throughout and finally ended the hosts' resistance with an opening goal on 67 minutes. James Wilson, who has just turned 18, clinched the three points with a fine free-kick on his first Barclays Under-21 Premier League start.
United fielded Fabio, Darren Fletcher and Zaha, who all started in the last outing against Stoke City, but also included UEFA Youth League stars Joe Rothwell and Wilson with Charni Ekangamene moving into defence.
Sam Johnstone was forced to superbly claw away an effort by Jordan Slew after the ex-Sheffield United forward burst past a couple of challenges as the bottom team belied their lowly position. Gradually, the pressure began to build at the other end, however, and Matty Urwin's throw-out was snapped up by Rothwell to set up a Wilson shot but the keeper redeemed himself with a reflex save.
Moments later, Zaha collected a crossfield pass by Reece James and fired in a powerful shot that was deflected just wide before Rothwell was unable to control a defence-splitting pass by Fletcher. Although Raheem Hanley's attempt prompted another stop from Johnstone, United continued to up the tempo and Zaha almost profited when the ball struck the referee but Urwin saved.
Another sloppy clearance by Urwin allowed Saidy Janko to drift a snap-shot off target and Yann Songo'o headed a powerful centre by the Swiss wide man over his own goal. The last action of the first half saw Wilson force a fine save out of Urwin following some blistering wing-play by Zaha.
Little changed after the break with Songo'o deflecting Fabio and Zaha efforts off target while Zaha was unlucky to brush a post after a bewitching dribble eventually led to a shooting opportunity.
Johnstone did have to show his bravery by racing off his line on one occasion to gather a cross but a United goal became an inevitability.
Urwin did well to hold a Zaha volley following a Fletcher free-kick but the keeper was beaten seconds later when more great skill by Zaha allowed him to gather a James pass, play a one-two with Fabio and bury an unstoppable finish.
Fletcher was denied by the on-rushing Urwin but a second goal duly arrived through promising teenager Wilson. Zaha was crudely brought down on the edge of the box and the England Under-19 international blasted a left-footed free-kick into the bottom corner of the net.
To his credit, Urwin refused to be bowed and made a splendid double save to thwart Rothwell and substitute Andreas Pereira in the closing stages as it became a damage limitation job for the besieged home side.
