Erik ten Hag got exactly what he wants from three Manchester United youngsters as the Under-21s continued their Papa Johns Trophy charge with an impressive 2-1 win against Barrow on Tuesday night. Alejandro Garnacho grabbed the winner in dramatic circumstances in stoppage time at Holker Street.
Having trained with the first-team this season, academy frontman Charlie McNeill won and converted a penalty for United before their League Two opponents responded via Jordan Stevens. But with penalties on the horizon, it was Garnacho who took matters into his own hands with a telling finish.
It means United have already progressed with maximum points from their first two matches in the competition this season. Fleetwood are still to come in Northern Group G — but the result of that will not matter. It's been a strong group stage campaign from the young Reds so far.
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Chances were few and far between during the early stages at Barrow, but the home team knocked on the door with several set-piece deliveries, although United initially stood up to that physical challenge and dominated possession, before then taking the lead with half-time looming.
Flanked in attacking quarters by Facundo Pellistri and Argentine Garnacho, frontman McNeill chased what initially appeared to be a lost cause before dispossessing Barrow goalkeeper Scott Maloney and being fouled. It was more than indicative of the intense pressing game Ten Hag wants to instil.
McNeill then sent Maloney the wrong way from 12 yards. Meanwhile, at the other end, Nathan Bishop was notably forthcoming in his positioning to provide his side with a platform to control the ball.
He too would have impressed Ten Hag in that sense, but the former Southend goalkeeper might have done better with the cross that came in for Barrow's equaliser. Stevens was credited with the goal, but he was presented with a simple route by rookie United marking.
Still, that is exactly what this competition is there for as United continued to match their senior opponents, before the match-winning moment came from a player tipped for big things at Old Trafford.
Garnacho was busy on the left-hand side and caused problems for his marker throughout. And when the game appeared to be heading to penalties, the former Atletico Madrid prospect latched onto an inviting cross-field pass and produced a devastating finish to snatch all three points right at the death.
Manchester United U21s starting XI: Bishop; Jurado, Bennett, Fredricson, Hardley; Iqbal, Savage; Pellistri, Gore, Garnacho; McNeill.
On the bench: Mastny, Huddlestone, Collyer, Forson, Hansen-Aaroen, Murray.
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