Manchester United send message to Man City with academy win in Manchester derby

Manchester City have dominated youth football over the last few seasons but that's not the case at the moment.

City have won three successive Premier League 2 titles and yet they're bottom of the league in this campaign, following a change of format, summer sales, injuries and first-team promotions.

There are mitigating factors for their drop-off but it has still been stark, which meant confidence in a win in the Manchester derby was high in the Manchester United camp.

Naturally, the Under-21 debry does not attract the same level of attention as the first-team derby, but coaches would admit claiming the bragging rights in Manchester is important at any age level.

ALSO READ: Player ratings against Lut on as Mainoo and Hojlund excellent

ALSO READ: Hojlund reveals training ground 'secret'

Before Monday night's game, City's U21s had beaten United 12-1 on aggregate across the last two meetings, although another thrashing seemed unlikely given their league form.

City boss Brian Barry-Murphy named a strong side, with Micah Hamilton, Jacob Wright and Joel Ndala starting, while his adversary in the opposite dugout, Travis Binnion, had the likes of Willy Kambwala, Sam Mather and Toby Collyer at his disposal.

Joe Hugill, who joined Burton Albion on loan in January, and Shola Shoretire mingled before the game and the latter was playing a supportive role due to an injury.

Shoretire is enjoying an excellent season for the U21s but Mather stepped up in his absence against Norwich last month, with the winger scoring all four goals in a 4-2 win.

Mather has been increasingly involved in first-team training over the last few weeks. He was part of the FA Youth Cup winning team of 2021/22 and he lined up on the left against City.

Colly