City U18s handed first defeat of 2026 by United

As the two best sides in the North went head-to-head nothing could separate the two teams at half-time in our top-of-the-table clash in the Under-18 Premier League North.

JJ Gabriel fired United ahead just after the hour mark and despite City’s best efforts, Oliver Reiss’ Under-18s were unable to find a way back into the game when Chido Obi scored a late second.

Tyrone Samba’s stunning first-time finish lighted a brief fire in City’s belly but a curling free-kick from substitute Jim Thwaites restored United’s two-goal lead and in turn confirmed a first defeat in the calendar year for our Under-18s.

WHAT HAPPENED

If our Manchester derby earlier in the season was anything to go by, it would be fair to assume that our latest league match-up with United would provide similar entertainment.

And it was certainly another match-up that saw the best talent in the country go head-to-head. 

City’s best chance came on 35 minutes when Kylan Midwood saw his header tipped wide of the right post by goalkeeper Cameron Bryne-Hughes.

The visitors almost edged ahead on 44 minutes after Obi rattled the post with a low effort from the right before the United number nine had a second chance to fire United ahead with the final kick of the opening 45 minutes.

The 18-year-old’s 20-yard free-kick was denied by the diving Ben Vickery who did brilliantly to palm the effort onto the post and away from danger.

The second half proved to be a scrappier affair. And after a mix-up in the centre of the pitch, Gabriel pounded on the ball and slotted his shot into the bottom left corner on 66 minutes.

City’s best response saw Finlay Gorman rattle the crossbar from 30 yards out as we pressed for a late equaliser.

But another twist in the tale saw Obi latch onto a long ball over the top with the striker converting from close range with less than 10 minutes to play to double United’s lead.

T. Samba halved the deficit with a fantastic first-time finish from the edge of the United box. But it was merely a consolation after Thwaites made it three, placing a pinpoint free-kick into the top left corner to call time on our 11-game winning run.

HOW WE LINED UP

CITY XI | Vickery, Headley, Drake, Braithwaite, Barrett, Miles, Dunbar-McDonald (Holt 77’), Gorman, Midwood (Lamb 46’), T. Samba, R. Heskey.

SUBS | Hudson, Tevenan, Oliver.

UNITED XI | Byrne-Hughes, Helafu, Mills, Armer, Kukonki, McCormack, Brown (Mantato 65’), McEvoy (Thwaites 46’), Obi, Gabriel (Watson 89’), Ajayi (Bradbury 81’)

SUBS | Heath.  

AS A RESULT

City remain top of the league summit, but United have reduced the gap to just one point.

Oliver Reiss’ side have three games in hand over title challenges Manchester United. 

UP NEXT

It’s a quick turnaround for our Under-18s. We are back in action again on Tuesday 17 February when we welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to the City Football Academy.

Kick-off is slated for 12:00 (UK) with the game available to watch live on CITY+.