D'Mani Mellor lifts the mood with two goals as Manchester United U23s impress against West Ham

Manchester United's U23s were challenged with lifting the mood on Saturday afternoon at Leigh Sports Village.

Ralf Rangnick's side crashed out of the FA Cup to Middlesbrough on Friday and so it was down to Neil Wood to improve spirits around the club when United's U23s welcomed West Ham. Hannibal Mejbri won U23 Player of the Season last term and he was at Old Trafford to watch that defeat. Rangnick has confirmed Hannibal will now play with United's first team after his promising performances.

Shola Shoretire might have felt aggrieved not to have been named in the squad on Friday but he reacted in perfect fashion.

It could be argued that experience on the bench in a fourth tie FA Cup fixture would have done Shoretire the world of good, but not being called up on Friday was the U23s gain as the forward started versus West Ham and made a brilliant start to the game.

Shoretire has been training with United's first team and the excitement around the youngster is not misplaced. Shoretire is the youngest player to appear for the club in European competition and he celebrated his 18th birthday on Monday.

While it was Shoretire's birthday earlier in the week, he was the one that was actually providing gifts by the end of it.

Shoretire was within his own half when having the vision to identify the potential of D'Mani Mellor's run. While that alone was impressive, the execution of the pass was outstanding. The pass from Shoretire was perfectly weighted and it gave Mellor the opportunity to fire United into the lead. Mellor obliged to score his third goal in two games since he returned from his loan.

Mellor, 21, was recalled from his Salford loan and then his proposed temporary switch to Crawley Town on January transfer