Burnley knock United out of FA Youth Cup

Manchester United crashed out of the FA Youth Cup against Burnley on Friday night. After reaching the semi-finals last year, the club expected our U-18 squad to do a lot better, progressing futher than the third round. Either way, it’s the start of a learning curve in their early careers.

Sir Alex Ferguson was among 3,000 spectators at Old Trafford tonight, accompanied by Mike Phelan. The pair are familiar with defensive errors from the first team, so seeing it occur down the youth ranks mustn’t have been that much of a surprise. The youths should take their mistakes on the chin and learn from them. I felt we were the better side, despite losing.

Burnley skipper Cameron Howieson gave his side the lead, but United equalised through James Weir just before half-time. It appeared as if the Reds turned the tables around when Nicholas Ioannou put them in front after 64 minutes but Jason Gilchrist had put visitors back on terms shortly after.

The vast majority attending the game thought United did enough when Donald Love put the home side ahead again but Gilchrist grabbed another for Burnley. His goal invited extra-time in which he completed his hat-trick and knocked Paul McGuinness’ side out of the competition.

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