Manchester United’s reserves lost away at Everton in the Premier League 2 as the Reds failed to respond to Nathan Broadhead’s hat-trick.
The absences of Shola Shoretire and Amad Diallo were noticed.
United U23 captain Will Fish made his return from injury tonight, while Ethan Galbraith was finally back in his favourite position. Despite the injuries, loan moves and first team involvement, Neil Wood was able to field a balanced XI involving a few players from our U18’s as Svidersky partnered Galbraith in midfield.
As confirmed by United’s manager, both Amad and Shoretire will be included in first team action on Thursday. This is how United started the game: Kovar; Neville, Fish, Devine, Fernandez; Galbraith, Svidersky; Helm, Puigmal, McCann; Hugill Subs: Mastny, Hughes, McNeill, Hoogewerf.
United made a lively start as the young Reds controlled the ball and Arnau Puigmal was being quite busy in Everton’s half. Mark Helm had a chance to score early, but his shot was deflected. With United on top, Puigmal and Alvaro Fernandez were doing their best down the left but there was no end product.
As United were trying to balance the game in midfield, Ethan Galbraith’s solo run came to an end with a shot which went wide. Despite just returning from injury, it looks like Puigmal cannot catch a break as the Spaniard was down receiving treatment and and he could no longer continue and Dillon Hoogewerf came on in his place.
Everton were getting more into the game and it was Reece Devine saving United, this time accompanied with a compliment by Matej Kovar for his sliding challenge.
Minutes after this, United responded with Charlie McCann as his shot was saved by the Everton goalkeeper.
Everton were soon having the better chances as the United defence could not handle a one-on-one battle with Broadhead and he managed to score.
The Reserves’ did not seem to take control of the ball as Small had another chance for Everton inside the box. United tried to respond through Hugill, but his shot was deflected behind.
However, United managed to level the game as Charlie McCann is served brilliantly from Galbraith, and Charlie fired a shot with the keeper unable to tip it and get the shot deflected.
Everton were immediately on the front foot as they had two instant shots when the second half begun. United responded with one of their own. It should be noted that Hoogewerf was moving quite well and caused Everton trouble.
Joe Hugill had another chance of scoring, and it was Hoogewerf again who turned brilliantly to find the striker, but his shot was not strong enough to cause trouble for Joao Virginia.
After struggling early on, United finally set the tone of the game as McCann found Hoogewerf whose low cross went past Hugill and United could not finish.
In contrary to the flow of the game, Broadhead managed to get past the United defence, even though United claim, rightly so, a handball situation in the buildup of the goal.
Despite going behind, United had an effort with Hoogewerf, but he was unable to fire it home.
It just wasn’t United’s night as Everton scored another goal. A ball came into United’s defence via a corner, but the ball found Broadhead, who easily converted it, as Galbraith was unable to clear the ball over the line.
Charlie McNeill made his U23’s debut as manager Neil Wood was desperate to reduce the deficit.
Despite going two goals behind, United were still trying hard to get a second goal, but Everton did their best to keep United at bay.
It was not United’s game tonight and they fall apart in Southport.
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