Manchester United’s under-21s pulled off a dramatic comeback to beat West Ham United 3-2 in their Premier League 2 clash at Rush Green, West Ham’s training ground.
Both United and West Ham were coming into this fixture in a rich vein of form as United had won their last two matches against Fulham (2-1) at Motspur Park and Liverpool (2-1) at Leigh Sports Village and West Ham won three consecutive games on the bounce as they beat Wolverhampton Wanderers (3-1), Tottenham (1-0) and Everton (2-1).
Comeback: complete! ✔️
Our young Reds battled back from two goals down to secure all 3️⃣ points in the #PL2 👊#MUFC || #MUAcademy pic.twitter.com/rsK1OyhQFr
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 20, 2023
It looked as though the Hammers were going to make it four consecutive wins in the league as they scored two quick-fire goals in the first half to give themselves a 2-0 lead going into the half-time interval.
However, the United coaches would have told the players to keep pushing because after the London side scored, United were the better side. Man United started the second half on the front foot and won a penalty after Sam Murray was fouled in the West Ham box, which gave Joe Hugill the opportunity to score, which is what he did as he sent the West Ham keeper the wrong way to make it 2-1.
Hugill scored his second of the game to draw United level as Marc Jurado delivered a good low cross that was tapped home by the striker.
In typical United fashion, the Young Reds showed the DNA of the club as in the 84th minute a powerful header from Sonny Alijofree completed the comeback, but there was a nervy few moments as West Ham came close to equalising but the under-21s held on for an important three points, that sees them climb up to eight in the table [Premier League].
Next up for the Under-21s is a Premier League International Cup match on Tuesday at Carrington against Feyenoord.