United's reserves reached the final of the Wout van Overdam Youth Tournament with an impressive 2-0 victory over Sparta Rotterdam, who featured players with first team experience.
With Robbie Brady injured, United played Joe Dudgeon on the left and teh back four were Brown, Chester, De Laet and Simpson. Stewart was again wide right, Evans, James and Eikrem in the middle with Febian up front.
It was a tight opening ten minutes with United not giving anything away and the only shot of note was a 30 yard effort from Corry Evans which was easy for the keeper to collect. It remained fairly even for the first twenty minutes and then United upped the tempo. Sam Hewson replaced Reece Brown so Simpson went to right back, Dudgeon to left back, and Magnus went wide left.
In the 24th minute the 461 crowd saw a clear penalty decision turned down as Brandy went down in the box. Whatever frustration he felt was soon forgotten as Febian scored a cracking solo goal two minutes later. Receiving the ball from Dudgeon on the edge of the area, he spun past one defender, burst in between another two and slotted the ball under the keeper to give United a deserved lead. On the half hour mark, Gill came on to replace Stewart and went to outside left with Eikrem switching wings.
Then on 33 minutes, Danny Simpson released Magnus on the right and he raced down the wing before knocking a great ball to the far post. Oliver Gill met the ball and headed it back for the on-rushing Matty James to hit it with his left foot. The Sparta keeper made a great save but James scored from the rebound to give United a 2-0 lead.
Brandy and Eikrem were immediately replaced by Ajose and Norwood for the last two minutes. As Brandy was coming off the pitch he was berated in no uncertain terms by Warren Joyce for lashing out at a Sparta defender a few minutes earlier. Brandy received strong words from the referee but no card was shown. If Brandy picked up a booking he would have missed the final, and as our only forward, the coaching staff were not too happy with his impetuosity.
Regardless of his 'mad moment', Brandy was easily the Man of the Match, working his socks off and causing the Sparta defence loads of problems.
The game finished 2-0 to the Reds and the final table looked like this:
1. Manchester United - Played 4 Won 3 Drew 1 Lost 0 GF 8 GA 1 Points 10
2. Sparta Rotterdam - Played 4 Won 2 Drew 1 Lost 1 GF 6 GA 3 Points 7
3. Vitesse Arnhem - Played 4 Won 2 Drew 0 Lost 2 GF 3 GA 3 Points 6
4. NEC Nijmegen - Played 4 Won 1 Drew 3 Lost 0 GF 7 GA 2 Points 5
5. BVCB - Played 4 Won 0 Drew 0 Lost 4 GF 1 GA 16 Points 0
It was hard on NEC who were one of the better teams in the tournament, but they, like United were in the toughest groups, and their three draws cost them.
United now face Groningen in the final.
Sparta Rotterdam
1. Heaton
17. Brown
2. Simpson
4. Chester (capt)
5. De Laet
6. Evans
7. Stewart
16. James
10. Eikrem
3. Dudgeon
9. Brandy (wore 20 shirt)
8. Hewson (17) on '23
11. Brady
12. Gill (7) on '30
13. Zieler
14. Norwood (10) on '33
15. Wootton
18. Ajose (20) on '33
19. Buckingham
Sounds class.