The travelling Manchester United fans let off a red smoke bomb after Charlie McNeill gave his side the lead against Fleetwood Town on Tuesday night with a Panenka penalty, which was an audacious effort that was brilliantly executed under pressure.
"UNITED, UNITED, UNITED," the pocket supporters responded under the thick, red smoke that danced under the floodlights. McNeill did his own dance in front of the Memorial Stand where most Fleetwood supporters were housed. McNeill celebrated in the corner and he was immediately joined by a smiling Shola Shoretire, with the winger giving his teammate an embrace for his Panenka goal.
McNeill certainly knows where the back of the net is, but that goal was surprisingly just his fourth of the season. United's Under-21s have struggled in the Premier League 2 this term and the Papa John's Trophy has provided them with respite from defeats.
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Although United are still without a win in the Premier League 2 with the winter months approaching, they have defeated Carlisle and Barrow in the Papa John's Trophy. United's perfect record in the competition was lost against Fleetwood on Tuesday, who are managed by former Celtic midfielder Scott Brown, although he is almost unrecognisable with a full head of hair.
Unlike his personality during his playing career, Brown was passive on the touchline during the match, whereas Travis Binnion was animated and he regularly gave his players instructions, which they responded to. "Kobbie, sit off," Binnion shouted at Kobbie Mainoo in the opening stages and the young midfielder listened to his advice, dropping between the centre-backs to play a cross-field ball.
Mainoo is perhaps the most exciting player in the academy and he dictated play against Fleetwood. He is technically exceptional and he is found all over the pitch, in areas and pockets of space in which others players might not feel comfortable playing.
His range of passing makes him an invaluable asset in midfield and it wasn't a surprise to see him on the bench against Newcastle at Old Trafford on Sunday. Charlie Savage also showcased his dynamic passing against Fleetwood but he was brought off at half-time, with Toby Collyer replacing him. Collyer has recently trained with the first-team and he's making steady progress.
Binnion is responsible for the Under-18s, but he's taken charge of the U21s in the Papa John's trophy this season. Whatever he is doing, it seems to be working, as the U21s have only won matches with him in charge this season, which is interesting.
It was McNeill's brilliant penalty in the 20th minute that opened the scoring and United had chances to extend that advantage before half-time. Mainoo was working his magic, Marc Jurado looked dangerous at right-back and Omari Forson was bright on the right wing again. The application from the players was laudable and that was epitomised in two passages of play before half-time.
While centre-back Rhys Bennett received a lunge to the face, he did not complain and was eager to come back onto the pitch, while McNeill also ran the length of the pitch just before the half-time whistle to thwart a Fleetwood counter-attack.
It is that type of attitude that will lead to successful careers, which Darren Fletcher knows something about. Fletcher was in attendance on Thursday night and he was also joined by deputy technical director Andy O'Boyle in the stands.
United emerged for the second half and Forson showed why he's the U21s' joint top goalscorer this season. He broke forward with intent and purpose before cutting inside and curling the ball just around the left post. Fleetwood fans were relieved.
"Shola move," Binnion shouted, but the winger hardly needed the encouragement, He might not be scoring and assisting this season at his previous rate, but his strong work ethic was noticeable and that was the reason he was kept on the pitch after Fleetwood equalised in the 60th minute. It was a deflected effort and a goal that the Reds' Nathan Bishop could do nothing about.
Binnion made three changes, bringing Teden Mengi, Joe Hugill and Tom Huddlestone on for Bjorn Hardley, Isak Hansen-Aareon and McNeill after that goal, but Fleetwood scored again just moments after those substitutions entered the pitch.
Bishop was helpless again as the ball nestled in the top corner. Fleetwood's goal music was cringe-worthy and the youngsters trudged back to the halfway line. United had already won their Papa John's group prior to the match and this was a test of their character and their desire, as they were playing for pride. Fleetwood were physical and it was a challenge for the youngsters.
Mengi almost gave United the perfect response with a powerful header from the corner but it flashed wide of the post. United didn't create much after that squandered opportunity and the game seemed set to end with a Fleetwood win.
That was until Shoretire got the reward for his relentless worth-ethic. The youngster found the bottom right corner in stoppage time and chaos followed in the away end. Another smoke bomb was let off and Shoretire was beaming again.
"You're just small town in Blackpool," the United fans responded after Shoretire's celebrations settled. With the scoreline ending in a 2-2 draw, the match went to penalties and United just fell short, with the hosts coming out on top
United might have lost the first match of their Papa John's campaign, but it was another education against some senior professionals and that should bode well for the rest of the season. The 'Pizza Cup' might not be pointless after all.
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