Elanga helps put youngsters on brink of qualification As United hold on in Italy
UNITED’S youngsters took a massive step forward in their quest for qualification to the knockout stages of the Uefa Youth League with a 2-1 victory over Atalanta – but they made things more difficult than it had to be.
Neil Wood’s Under-19s travelled to Bergamo full of confidence after defeating their opponents 4-2 back at Leigh Sports Village two weeks ago, even if they went into the game without three of the goalscorers from that day. Zidane Iqbal and Joe Hugill who weren’t involved, as well as Alejandro Garnacho who was on the bench.
Despite being without some key players it was still a strong United side containing the likes of Anthony Elanga, Teden Mengi and Shola Shoretire, who grabbed the opening goal after just seven minutes.
It was left-back Alvaro Fernandez – who is continuing to impress – who had made an early advance down the flank and his cut-back found an unmarked Omari Forson, who had time to control the ball before teeing up Shoretire to sweep home.
United would go on to dominate the opening half an hour on the ball, with Atalanta not getting started at all, and deservedly doubled their lead through Elanga. The forward, whose pace and skill had been troubling the Le Dea defence throughout, whipped a free-kick in from a dangerous position and it looked to evade everyone on its way into the far corner. Charlie McNeil may have got a slight touch, but the Swede was awarded the strike.
United looked comfortable as halftime approached but allowed Atalanta a route back into the game
when Martin Svidersky was adjudged to have dragged down a forward. It may have been a bit soft but Guillaume Renault made no mistake from the penalty spot.
After the break United regained control. Shoretire got himself into a good position but uncharacteristically overhit his pass to Forson and then centre-back Rhys Bennett crashed a header onto the bar from a corner, before only being able to poke the rebound wide.
The game began to open up as Atalanta pushed for an equaliser, with captain Simone Panada dragging a shot from the edge of the box just wide. Shoretire and McNeil both then drew smart, low saves out of Jacopo Sassi in quick succession.
United managed to hold on and are now only a point away from guaranteeing their spot in the next round.