Manchester United found themselves under pressure to strike a balance in midweek.
One day before Erik ten Hag’s senior squad were due to kick off against the Premier League’s basement side Sheffield United at Old Trafford, the Red Devils’ extremely highly-rated Under-18 side had a date with neighbours Man City in the Premier League Cup final.
With a never-ending spate of injuries offering first-team opportunities to a number of Carrington starlets, how would Manchester United balance the senior duties of three of the club’s best up-and-coming talents with a trophy on the line, and Adam Lawrence’s Under-18s one win away from a league and cup double?
Harry Amass, Louis Jackson and Ethan Wheatley were all in Ten Hag’s squad for the dramatic FA Cup semi-final victory over Coventry City on Sunday. They are expected to be on the bench against Sheffield United too, especially with Ten Hag admitting that Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford are suddenly ‘doubtful’ due to injuries they picked up at Wembley.
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Fortunately, a first-half brace from the electrifying Wheatley made things that little bit easier. Man United’s Under-18s were two goals to the good in Tuesday’s final before he, Amass and Jackson were all withdrawn at the interval in a pre-planned move, that Blades clash 24 hours later seemingly in mind.
“In terms of where the boys are at, and the other things we have got going on between the first team, Under-21s and the programme, certain individuals had to be managed today,” Lawrence explains to the Man United website.
“In any game when you are taking three important players for the team off at halt-time, that can have a big effect on the team and on the group as well.
“But all of the players are good players, and the players that came on dealt with that. Sometimes it is about doing what is needed for the team.”
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Had striker Wheatley not found the net twice in the opening ’45 minutes – crashing home the opener with a stunning shot from a tight angle – eking out a victory over a gifted City side without three of their star performers may have been a challenge to test even Lawrence’s imperious side.
Before kick-off at Leigh Sports Village, Ten Hag would have been hoping for three things.
That Man United’s Under-18s would wrap up the double, that Wheatley, Jackson and Amass would all come through unscathed and sufficiently rested, and that the trio would all be available at Old Trafford the following evening.
Consider this, then, something of a perfect night. Bot only for Lawrence, Wheatley, Amass and Jackson, but for United’s embattled first-team boss too.
“I am delighted for the boys,” Lawrence adds, Wheatley taking his tally to 20 for the season in all competitions. “In terms of finals, in these types of games, they are decided by fine margins. In the second half, towards the end of the game, we really had to dig deep.
“If it’s a team that isn’t together and doesn’t have that spirit, they don’t get through that game and it goes to extra time or they lose it.
“In terms of that, and the togetherness of the group, I thought we were outstanding and that has helped us get over the line.”