A floodlight failure amid the thunder and lightning over Leigh caused this game to kick off an hour late. When the lights finally came on, the patient crowd were treated to a high quality encounter won by the Reds with a first half Josh Harrop goal.
Although Villareal looked lively early on, United began pressing high up the pitch and their organisation and physicality increasingly caused problems for the Spaniards. Ethan Hamilton, in his first start at this level, looked especially lively on the left and it was his run that brought the Reds a deserved lead just after the half hour mark, putting in Harrop to finish clinically.
It was Willock's turn to take on the role of nominal 'false nine' and, for the first time this season, United's Under 23s began to make the system work. With Willock dropping back and interchanging with Harrop and McTominay, there was a greater fluency to the Reds' play and their movement frequently caused problems for the visitors.
United came close to extending their lead from an unusual source early in the second half, captain Alex Tuanzebe surging forward and drawing a fine save from the keeper before then miscuing on the rebound.
It was a moment that emphasised the power and flexibility of the Reds' performance, qualities that have been too often lacking in this season's Premier League 2 games.
Villareal increasingly showed the quality that brought them victory in this competition last year. However, United's defence coped superbly with the pressure and only when Gonzalez stuck the post did they look in danger of conceding.
There was, admittedly, the scare of a free header for Fernandes deep into stoppage time, but the Reds held out for a fine win in a hugely absorbing contest.
No comments:
Post a Comment