Manchester United’s first team are enduring a campaign to forget, with their only realistic chance of ending the season with a trophy resting on the Europa League.
The Red Devils are 3-0 up on aggregate heading into the second leg of their semi-final against Athletic Bilbao.
Ruben Amorim’s side are strong favourites to progress into the final.
While attention is firmly on European success, the club’s academy side are still chasing silverware of their own.
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United’s Under-21s produced an excellent second-half comeback to beat West Ham 4-1.
The match took place on Bank Holiday Monday during the afternoon.
United have secured a spot in the Premier League 2 play-off semi-finals.
As per Steve Railston for the Manchester Evening News, the fixture had been scheduled for the latest possible date to allow the strongest squad to be available.
Several young stars returned from Bilbao duty.
Although Bendito Mantato and Jaydan Kamason were in the stands rather than on the pitch, Sekou Kone started in midfield.
Kone played in a more advanced No.10 role than usual.
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Kone, a natural No.6 who arrived from Guidars FC for around £1million last summer, struggled to influence the game in the final third but continued to showcase his progression as a well-rounded midfielder.
United trailed 1-0 at the break after Tyler Fletcher was caught on the ball deep in his own half.
He gifted West Ham’s Chukwuemeka Adiel the opener.
Fletcher, praised by Travis Binnion after the quarter-final win over Everton, was punished for his error as tensions briefly flared between the United players.
Communication on the pitch remained strong.
Kone – who has been learning English since his move, helped direct teammates throughout.
Ethan Wheatley on the scoresheet for Manchester United U21’s
James Scanlon gave United an immediate boost after the restart with a calm finish to make it 1-1.
He netted his 22nd goal of the season in all competitions.
Soon after, Ethan Wheatley capitalised on a mistake by West Ham under pressure and finished confidently into the bottom corner to turn the tie around.
Wheatley looked exhausted following the goal and was caught mouthing, “I’m f*****,” to the bench, but stayed on to see the game out.
Sam Murray’s deflected effort extended the lead with ten minutes left before Sam Mather added a fourth in stoppage time.
United will now face Manchester City U21s away from home in the semi-finals, with a place in the Premier League 2 final up for grabs.
