It was not just the Manchester United first-team that won as the United Under-21s also won last night as they defeated Fulham 2-1 at Motspur Park.
⚽️ Shola Shoretire 21'
⚽️ Joe Hugill 34'Our #MUAcademy U21s made a winning start to 2023 on Friday night 💪#MUFC || #PL2
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 7, 2023
There were a number of players who have been training with Erik ten Hag’s first team in recent weeks, who started the game against the Cottagers at their training ground as the likes of Zidane Iqbal, Rhys Bennett, Kobbie Maino all featured on Friday night under the lights.
It was a good test for the United youngsters because they were playing against a team who were positioned higher in the table than the Reds and for them to come out victorious in what is a difficult fixture is pleasing because Fulham’s academy side does have a good reputation.
Another player who has trained with ten Hag’s side this season was Shola Shoretire and he scored the opening goal of the game as he put United 1-0 up in the 21st minute.
Shortly after Shoretire’s goal, Joe Hugill made it 2-0 in the 34th minute to put United in control and they went close to adding a third through Mateo Meija, that would have put the game beyond Fulham’s reach.
However, Fulham did get one back in the 72nd minute through Charlie Robinson but the Young Reds held on to secure all three points, in what was just their second win of the season.
The 2-1 win over Fulham in West London was the perfect response to United’s 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Manchester City, which was the final game that United had in 2022.