Premier League International Cup
Manchester United vs. Sparta Prague
Venue: Leigh Sports Village
Date: Thursday, 15 December 2016
Kick-off: 19:00 BST
Manchester United produced a comfortable 2-0 victory over Sparta Prague in the Premier League International Cup.
Goals in either half, first from Josh Harrop and then from Devonte Redmond secured a good night’s work for Nicky Butt’s young side.
Following on from their opening win against Villarreal, United have shown much better form in this competition than in domestic showings this season.
Goalscorer Harrop set himself for a shot early on, with the ball skidding off the surface but Patrik Storc did well to push it away low to his right.
He did get his goal when Matty Willock’s delightful ball through allowed the number 10 to round the goalkeeper and tap home into the empty net.
Playing in the unfamiliar role of left-back, Demetri Mitchell’s cross was flicked towards the target by Redmond’s head, only for the ball to skim the post.
Half-time arrived on a rain-soaked evening, as Willock blazed over early after the interval.
Ever since his return from injury, Sean Goss has impressed in the middle of the field, and his pass allowed Mitchell to reach the byline, and his low cross was finished off by Redmond from close range to double the lead.
Substitute Charlie Scott fired wide as Storc was scrambling, as chances were few and far between with the game seemingly settled.
Playing keep ball to run the clock down, time ticked away to bring about full-time.
Up next is the final fixture of this group next Thursday at the same time, where Middlesbrough will be the opponents and a draw will be enough to secure a quarter-final spot for United.
The youngsters will be hoping to continue Thursday night’s performance, after they bounced back from last week’s disappointing yet deserved defeat at Chelsea.
Line-ups:
Manchester United: O’Hara; Olosunde (El Fitouri 78), Tuanzebe, Poole, Mitchell; Goss; Harrop, Redmond (Gribbin 68), Kehinde (Scott 68), Willock; McTominay.
Subs not used: M Johnstone, Doughty, Buffonge, Warren.
Manager: Nicky Butt
Sparta: Storc; Kadlec, Dudl, Sacez, Havelka, Pulkras, Fortezny (Drchal 46) Tuargh (Kajkovsky 57), Buddha, Kosiz, Frydek.
Subs: Pedlacez, Drchal, Cabazaj, Kajkowsky, Backowsky.
Manager: Petr Havlicer
Leave a Reply