Youngsters reach Milk Cup final
United's goal-laden march to the Milk Cup final continued on Thursday evening, as Paul McGuinness' young side hit another four goals to win a semi-final clash with Watford.
The Hornets were beaten 4-2 at Ballymena's Showgrounds, taking United's goal haul to a staggering 17 in just four games in the competition.
McGuinness' young charges now meet South Coast Bayern in Friday night's final (KO 20:15 BST), after the Americans overcame Hearts in a penalty shootout in Thursday's other semi-final.
United's 16-year-old Norwegian forward Joshua King scored twice in the last four tie, while Federico Macheda and Evandro Brandao grabbed the other goals to set up a place in the final of the prestigious youth tournament - now in its 25th year.
The Reds will be keen to avenge last year's final defeat to Brazilian side Fluminese, but United face tough opponents in South Coast Bayern, who knocked out the holders at the quarter final stages.
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=dBjOctxxOY8
Highlights of the semi final
Federico macheda, Evandro Brandao and Josh King have scored 4 goals each so far
MAN UTD END FIVE YEAR WAIT
Manchester Utd 3
South Coast Bayern 0
Red hot Manchester United ended a five-year wait for Milk Cup glory in Coleraine last night and handed coach Paul McGuinness his first success at the tournament.
Quality goals from Oliver Norwood, Nicholas Ajose and Federico Macheda crushed the American dream of South Coast Bayern who won many admirers with their performances over the week.
It was freescoring United’s third triumph in eight finals and McGuinness, son of former United boss Wilf, was delighted that his talented team continued to find the net, signing off the competition with 20 goals in five matches.
He said: “The boys were superb and worked so hard in difficult conditions. I’m proud of them.”
The 13th minute proved unlucky for Bayern when United swept in front courtesy of a superbly executed Oliver Norwood free kick. From 22 yards he got the ball up and over the four-man defensive wall, placing it out of the reach of keeper Joseph Pacheco.
United’s attempt to establish domination was sporadically interrupted by the American’s dangerous striker John Fitzpatrick. Three minutes after Norwood’s strike he fired in a right foot shot from the edge of the box only to see the ball deflected off the target.
United’s Northern Ireland Under-21 international keeper Conor Devlin smothered another Fitzpatrick attempt after the forward had turned quickly to unload a low drive.
It took a brave goalmouth clearance from defender Scott Wooton to deny Fitzpatrick when he lobbed Devlin. Wooton clattered into the base of an upright as he kept the Red Devils in front.
Before half-time Norwood collected Joshua King’s pass in front of goal but his shot was deflected for a corner. Federico Macheda’s backheel flick was stopped on the line by Pacheco before United grabbed their second on the stroke of half-time with Bury lad Nicolas Ajose chipping the keeper.
Matthew James’ speculative shot was deflected onto the post by Farshid Bagheri’s header although Pachedo got the slightest of touches on it while Fitzpatrick crashed a shot over the bar at the other end.
United sealed victory as King’s sweeping cross was hammered into the net from 16 yards by Macheda for his sixth goal of the tournament.
An offside decision denied substitute Edward Zepeda a consolation goal for the Americans near the end after Dersu Aboifathi’s shot had been pushed onto the bar by Devlin and Zepeda headed the rebound into the net. Then Cameron Stewart headed a stinging shot from Aboifathi off the line five minutes from the end.
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