Alfa-Ruprecht double helps City U18s beat United in the Manchester derby

Farid Alfa-Ruprecht scored the opening goal of the match, tapping in from Luca Fletcher’s squared ball.

Straight after half-time, Ashton Muir converted Justin Oboavwoduo’s low cross, before a counter attack set Alfa-Ruprecht free and his composed finish past Tom Myles secured his brace.

A corner that was swung in deflected off Manchester United’s Jaydan Kamason and into the net for City’s fourth, and Ethan Williams struck late on which proved to only be a consolation.

City inflicted a first league defeat of the season to United and closed the gap to 10 points on the visitors.

WHAT HAPPENED

Ben Wilkinson’s young side will face the prospect of another Manchester derby, after progressing through to the final of the Under-18s Premier League Cup last weekend against Leicester City.

But on a cloudy morning at the CFA, this derby was all about trying to close the gap on a Manchester United side who sit top of the Under-18s Premier League North table.

And it was Manchester United who started with the most intent, as Ethan Williams drove with the ball to the edge of the area, but his attempt deflected wide of the mark.

City were leaving big gaps for the young Red Devils on the counter attack, as Kian Noble slid in on this occasion to stop Williams.

Down at the other end, Ashton Muir had the ball for City on the left, he flicked it into the path of Justin Oboavwoduo, who sliced his shot and missed the target.

Our academy outfit soon found their rhythm, as Luca Fletcher played the ball across the face of goal and Farid Alfa-Ruprecht was in the right place at the back post to score a huge goal, and give City the advantage in the derby.

The wind was blowing in City’s sails, as we were pushing forward continuously for a second.

Captain, Jaden Heskey, had a shot in the 18-yard box which deflected kindly to Oboavwoduo. He hit the shot into the ground which took the pace off the ball as Tom Myles gathered the effort calmly.

The confidence was shining throughout the City team, and Jacob Wright found himself in the box, and his powered effort across goal was palmed away by Myles to deny us our second of the match.

The visitors struggled to have an impact on the game, and just before half-time Williams cut inside from the right, but his effort was aimed straight Spike Brits, who was able to gather United’s first shot on target in the match.

After United gave away possession in their half, Oboavwoduo dribbled with the ball into the penalty area and played a low cross which reached Muir who directed the ball into the net to put City two to the good at the start of the second half.

A goal mouth scramble in the United box nearly resulted in our third, as Muir’s shot was saved, before Fletcher’s rebound shot was met with a diving save from Myles to deny the young striker.

A beautiful ball over the top set Alfa-Ruprecht through on goal against United’s high line, he remained composed to squeeze the ball under Myles who dived over the ball.

Finley McAllister met a header at the back post but it went straight at Brits as United searched for any sort of positive outcome. 

A corner was swung in for City by Divine Mukasa, and the ball connected with Kian Noble’s head, before bouncing off Manchester United’s Jaydan Kamason and into the net to put City out of sight.

A thumping finish from Williams in the 88th minute hit the post and went in, which left Brits with no chance, but would not take away from City handing United their first league defeat of the campaign.

HOW WE LINED UP

Spike Brits continued his stint in between the posts and he was protected by a back four of Michael Okeke, Kian Noble, Stephen Mfuni and Seb Naylor.

Jacob Wright played as City’s number six in front of the defence, with Jaden Heskey and Justin Oboavwoduo pushing higher up in a midfield three.

Luca Fletcher led the attacking line, with Farid Alfa-Ruprecht and Ashton Muir supporting on the wings.

Manchester City Under-18s

XI | Brits, Okeke, Noble, Mfuni, Naylor, Wright, Alfa-Ruprecht, Heskey (C), Fletcher, Oboavwoduo, Muir

SUBS | Fapetu, Wint, Mukasa, Warhurst, Nfonkeu

Manchester United Under-18s

XI | Myles, Kamason, Mantato, Jackson, Nolan, Devaney, Musa, McAllister (C), Biancheri, Scanlon, Williams

SUBS | Armer, Harrison, Plunkett, Thwaites, Abraha

WHAT IT MEANS

After City handed Manchester United their first defeat of the season, we close the gap on the visitors to 10 points with two games in hand on our Manchester neighbours.

WHAT’S NEXT

We are back in Under-18s Premier League North action again next weekend, as we travel to Tyneside to face Sunderland at the Academy of Light.

Kick-off is scheduled for Saturday 16 March at 11:00 (UK).