Manchester United’s under-21 side are in action against non-league side Chester. Keep up to date with our live coverage.
We have seen Manchester United’s young players make a big contributing impact in the early two first team pre-season games against Rosenborg and Rangers.
Now they get to go it alone, with Manchester United’s under-21 side taking on National League North side Chester.
Prior to the game United announced a 29-man tour squad of the USA. While those who did not make it will be disappointed, some are straight into action tonight.
The game kicked off at 7.30pm at Chester’s Deva Stadium. Keep up to date with our coverage…
- SCORE: 3-1 (Biancheri (2), Bailey)
- Confirmed XI
Manchester United u21s vs Chester highlights
Chester have now shared the highlights from the game on their YouTube channel.
You can watch them below, featuring Elyh Harrison’s saves, Gabriele Biancheri’s double, and James Bailey’s goal.
A good pre-season win
For the Manchester United youngsters not heading on tour, it is important for them to get competitive game time regardless.
This was a worthwhile friendly, a team which was under-21 in name, and featuring many players in the second half who will be in action for the under-18s next season.
It was great to see Biancheri continue on the hot streak he left off last season, and a positive step for Bailey to mark his step up with a noteworthy goal.
This game may have felt disappointing for Ethan Williams, who started against Rosenborg, and then didn’t get on the scoresheet for this one, but these setbacks are part of the challenge of top football.
Along with the rest of the players in this squad, he must use that snub as reason to kick on, and make the next one, and even make an impact next season.
Kobbie Mainoo made his first team debut during the 2022/23 season, and he did not go on tour that year – so there is hope for some of these young stars too.
Here’s a closing word from Jonny Maze, who was in attendance at the Deva Stadium…
Full-time! Manchester United under-21s 3-1 Chester
That’s it. Manchester United’s under-21s have beaten Chester 3-1
Gabriele Biancheri scored two first half goals, with substitute James Bailey netting a third late on.
[Link]Into the final five minutes
With a two-goal cushion, United now look good to get the win, this has been a good night for the young Red Devils side.
[Link]GOAL! 3-1 to Manchester United
James Bailey gets on the scoresheet as he pounces on a defensive mix-up.
The second half substitute is among the players to step up to the under-18s this season, and that is a great way to start.
[Link]15 mins to go
United still lead 2-1. It has been a fairly incident-free second half, with Elyh Harrison’s acrobatic save being the highlight.
Stick with us to see if United’s youngsters can close out the win…
[Link]Biancheri the next Chicharito?
One fan on X has compared Biancheri to famous United goal-poacher Javier Hernandez
25 minutes remaining
Chester are making some substitutions as they chase the game. The attendance figures have been released, with more than 2,000 fans watching on.
[Link]Harrison keeps United level
Elyh Harrison is having a great game in goal and he has just pulled off an acrobatic save to deny Chester an equaliser.
[Link]Two players who featured against Rosenborg
United have two players in action tonight who featured with the first team against Rosenborg just over a week ago.
That is forward Ethan Williams and centre-back Sonny Aljofree, who captains the under-21s tonight.
[Link]On the bench…
United’s substitutes are below. We should see a few of these in the second half…
Tom Myles, Louis Jackson, Jayden Kamason, Jack Kingdon, Daniel Armer, Jayce Fitzgerald, Zach Baumann, Jacob Devaney, Zach Baumann.
[Link]Half-time reading
Check out our analysis of Manchester United’s 29-man tour squad currently on their way to Los Angeles.
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Pick of the bunch
My colleague at United In Focus, Jonny Maze, is in the stands watching United’s young side and he is impressed with two players in particular so far, goalkeeper Elyh Harrison and striker Gabriele Biancheri.
Half-time
2-1 to Manchester United. The youngsters can be pleased with that. Gabriele Biancheri will want to stay on and try and complete his hat-trick.
[Link]Gabriele Biancheri take a bow
Manchester United have an impressive collection of young strikers and Biancheri is one I have high hopes for.
He has impressed consistently since he signed from Cardiff City at the start of 2023.
Last season he scored 19 goals in all competitions for United’s academy teams, and this is a great way to start the new campaign, even if it is just pre-season.
[Link]GOAL! 2-1 to Manchester United
It’s that lad again, Gabriele Biancheri gives Manchester United the lead for a second time this evening.
[Link]Still 1-1
After two early goals, the game has settled down a little. Striker Gabriele Biancheri gave Manchester United the lead after just six minutes.
Chester then equalised through a set piece and have had chances since. The game remains level after half an hour.
[Link]Elyh Harrison showing his quality
While Manchester United have conceded an equaliser, goalkeeper Elyh Harrison made an early impact to deny Chester taking the lead.
Harrison was the winner of the 2023/24 Denzil Haroun Award, recognising his excellent progress at academy level.
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GOAL 1-0 to United
Gabriele Biancheri wastes little time putting United 1-0 up. A promising sign!
[Link]United starting XI
The teams are out and the game has begun. At long last, here is the Manchester United starting XI, captained by Sonny Aljofree…
Starting XI: Elyh Harrison, Finley McAllister, Sonny Aljofree, Tyler Fredricson, James Nolan, Tyler Fletcher, Tommy Rowe, Jim Thwaites, Malachi Sharpe, Ethan Williams, Gabriele Biancheri.
Substitutes: Tom Myles, Louis Jackson, Jayden Kamason, Jack Kingdon, Daniel Armer, Jayce Fitzgerald, Zach Baumann, Jacob Devaney, Zach Baumann.
[Link]Senior trialist involved
A surprising one. Manchester United have a senior player as a trialist involved tonight.
The player is Tommy Rowe, according to the MEN. He is under consideration to replace Tom Huddlestone, who left his role as player-coach.
Rowe, 35, is another senior pro transitioning into the coaching phase of his career.
He played for Wolves between 2014 and 2016 and was most recently at Doncaster Rovers.
[Link]With the squad…
Elyh Harrison, Zach Baumann and James Nolan are among the players we have spotted warming up for Travis Binnion’s side…
[Link]One year ago…
This is the second year Manchester United’s under-21 side have taken on Chester in a friendly.
Last year United won the game 4-0, with two goals from Charlie McNeill, along with Noam Emeran and Shola Shoretire.
All four goalscorers have left the club, along with Teden Mengi and Willy Kambwala, who featured.
Hannibal is one of those who played, and is still at United. He won’t be here tonight as he is off to the USA.
[Link]Joe Hugill heading on loan
One player certainly not expected to be involved is Joe Hugill, who scored against Rangers at the weekend.
According to reports, Hugill is on the verge of clinching a loan move to Wigan Athletic.
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Awaiting team news
We are awaiting confirmation of Manchester United’s starting XI. It could be a young side with many academy stars currently on a plane to the USA…
[Link]Missing out
Ethan Williams is one of three players we believe are unlucky to miss out on the USA tour.
Will we see him in action tonight? Team news should be with us shortly…
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United’s USA tour squad
In case you missed it earlier, this is the confirmed 29-man squad United are taking to the USA.
Several first team stars do not travel, due to their late commitments at Euro 2024 and the Copa America, meaning many young players do feature.
GOALKEEPERS
Tom Heaton
Demot Mee
Andre Onana
Radek Vitek
DEFENDERS
Harry Amass
Rhys Bennett
Jonny Evans
Will Fish
Victor Lindelof
Harry Maguire
Sam Murray
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Leny Yoro
MIDFIELDERS
Casemiro
Toby Collyer
Christian Eriksen
Hannibal
Jack Fletcher
Sam Mather
Scott McTominay
Mason Mount
Maxi Oyedele
James Scanlon
FORWARDS
Antony
Amad
Rasmus Hojlund
Marcus Rashford
Jadon Sancho
Ethan Wheatley
Welcome to our live coverage
Welcome to our live coverage of Manchester United under-21s v Chester.
I’ll be keeping you updated and relaying team news, goal alerts and key talking points as the club’s academy players take on a different kind of pre-season test.
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