Comeback kids in final after stunner

Stuart Mathieson

April 03, 2007

MANC attitude won the day as United's gutsy teenagers proved they are every bit as good as Old Trafford's seniors when it comes to courageous comebacks.

Local lads Antonio Bryan, Febian Brandy and schoolboy Danny Welbeck were the late, late goalscoring heroes as Paul McGuinness's never-say-die outfit set up an FA Cup final with Liverpool after a thriller. The game ended 4-2 to United after extra time, meaning United won 4-3 on aggregate.

Sir Alex Ferguson had been shocked by the progress of the Under-18s, who he thought would be too young and too small to make an impact in the prestigious tournament that features so prominently in the Reds' history books.

They may have begun looking lacking in the necessary experience and inches to overcome the Gunners in front of a crowd of 8,058, but they had bucketfuls of courage to come back fantastically against the cosmopolitan Londoners who led 1-0 from the first leg at the Emirates Stadium last month.

Arsenal then went further ahead last night with Kieran Gibbs adding a second to his first-leg strike and even went ahead again in extra-time.

Spilled

Just like the seniors, United's youngsters don't know the meaning of the word beaten. Sam Hewson's free kick was spilled by Arsenal keeper Lee Butcher and Dubliner Chris Fagan scrambled the equaliser home after 73 minutes.

It signalled a gutsy finale from the Reds who called on immense reserves of strength and resilience. Arsenal's early superior strength leaked dramatically away as McGuinness's wonders turned up the power.

United were rewarded when Mancunian Antonio Bryan, on as a sub, thrashed in a blockbuster to hit the second in injury-time to take the game into an extra 30 minutes.

It was a sickener for United's teenagers when, after 105 minutes of endeavour, Rhys Murphy levelled the tie on the night. But even that setback couldn't rip the hearts out of the kids and another Manc, Febian Brandy, made it 3-2 after 108 minutes before Wellbeck headed the winning aggregate goal after 114 minutes to crown an unforgettable evening for United's boy wonders.

The final will be played over two legs at Anfield on Monday, April 16 and at Old Traffortd on Thursday, April 19.

United: Amos (Zieler 11), Evans (Bryan 66), Eckersley, Chester, Cathcart, Drinkwater, Welbeck, Hewson, Brandy, Fagan, Galbraith

What do you think? Have your say.

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chris spence, Altrincham (03/04/2007 at 09:20)

I thoroughly enjoyed last nights game, I took my lad and it was his first game. First game 6 goals and a great United win. I'm so proud of the courage the boys showed last night coming back from the goal down from the first game. Refusing to giving and getting the late goal to take it into extra time. Them scoring the first goal in extra time, but they never gave up and came back again. Fantastic, Fergie and their coach should be proud.

Alias Smith, over the moon (03/04/2007 at 09:24)

Top class. Against bigger, stronger opposition they did it the United way - with a last-gasp goal! Bring on the Scousers.

Fredrik, Sweden (03/04/2007 at 09:25)

Great to see our youngsters beat Arsenal and I just hope that one or two of our players can make it into the first team squad in a couple of years. But I refuse to get carried away, I think that maybe 1 out of 50 players coming through our or any academy system will become first team players. Also, Wenger and his scouts are miles ahead when it comes to buying cheap talent around 18-20 years old and develop them into first team players. Don't confuse this with having a decent academy.

Mick, Dublin (03/04/2007 at 09:39)

What a cracking game!

It's amazing how much the kids mirror the style of play of the senior XI. United out-played Arsenal in the first-leg but last night was more about grit, determination and courage. On the flip side, Arsenal played lots of pretty football but totally bottled it against a more direct approach. Good to see that their kids will keep up the noble tradition of away defeats to Bolton!

Also worth mentioning that Arsenal kids were older and we were giving away about 6 inches in height and a stone or two in body-weight in almost every position on the pitch but we never pulled out of a single tackle and won more than their fair share of headers.

Did anyone else watch this on MUTV? Gary Neville was hilarious in the commentary. He started off trying to be impartial but after an hour or so he gave up all pretence and started slating the ref for favouring Arsenal and cheering the United goals. By the end of it he sounded like some random fan on the terraces, shouting "shoot!" "tackle him!" and raising the roof when we scored the winner. He really is the world's reddest red.

The ususal suspects impressed (Cathcart, Brandy, Galbraith, Welbeck, Hewson and Fagan) but every single one of them did themselves proud.

I take Fredrik's point about Wenger's talent at buying classy 18-20 year-old footballers. But, the difference between third and first place in the league is all about heart, desire and a will to win. That's something that United players have bred into them from a young age and it's exactly what Arsenal have been lacking for a good few years now.

george (03/04/2007 at 09:51)

What can you say it's a marvellous achievement.Don't forget to come back down to earth for the final lads,you must be on cloud 9 at the moment.

A Mancunian, Manchester (03/04/2007 at 09:59)

Absolutely magnificent! I'm so proud of these young lads.

Rick (03/04/2007 at 10:56)

Yes, a brilliant game. Although for a long while I could not see where United were going to score a goal, never mind two, after going 1-0 down on the night.

Great comeback at the end to take it to extra-time.

The momentum was with us then and although we let it slip just before half-time, the team showed great belief in scoring two again for a second time in 15 minutes.

And yes I agree that Gary Neville was hilarious in his enthusiasm for the team - a true Red.

Demo, Glossop (03/04/2007 at 10:57)

great to hear after all the rave reviews of arsenal youth it just goes to show united are the way forward. its about the desire and determination to win. skill only gets you so far, its the passion and determination to win that takes you to the top e.g united

Fredrik, Sweden (03/04/2007 at 10:58)

Mick, it will be interesting to follow Arsenal next season and see if they can challenge us and Chelsea. Sometimes I wonder if they are the most overrated team ever. The table doesn't lie and it won't be easy for them to reach our consistency. They remind me of Ronaldo's first season, easy on the eye but no end-product. But I wouldn't be complaining if Diaby, Denilson, van Persie and Fabregas were United players.

Southern Red (03/04/2007 at 11:40)

It sounded like a fantastic game in true Utd style. Years of nail biting stuff to come! SAF is reported to have said "We have got one outstanding player who has a magnificent chance of being a top player, but I won't tell you who it is. He's just a boy.". It looks like we could have more than one outstanding player based on last night's result. Well done lads and all the best in a fortnight's time.

Alf For The Devils, Ipswich (03/04/2007 at 12:37)

I am very glad that not all fans dont look at our youth team. However we have only 10 comments when i started typing this comment. It was a great performance last night and i have to say G Neville is a red legend if he was not already. He could not hold it at the end as Mick said, because he was born Red Mancunian.
All the youngsters impress me last night and i wonder now how they can get games next season in the Carling cup especially the central midfield who were terrific on the ball.

Jimmy the gent, south coast (03/04/2007 at 13:13)

I long been sick and tired of hearing about Arsenal's youth and how good they are. Perhaps this fantastic result and performance will get some higher profile recognition for our own lads. Wengers transfer achievements are somewhat over emphasised...whereas his consistent, long term failure to control his players, his blindness to any misconduct by them and a paranoia towards officialdom are largely indulged.

Lee , Heywood, Heywood (03/04/2007 at 13:35)

Mick great post. Wenger has won only three titles in 11 years and people still say Arsenal play the best football. In truth there young players have better potential than ours imo. Not the side that played last night but those above that. As for Uniteds youngsters well SAF said that there is one in there with a real chance of being a top player. I hope its not a defender although Cathcart looks good. Could it be Wellbeck. He looks outstanding for his age. Maybe Brandy but he doesnt look outstanding but very quick. I imagine a few will have decent careers but it doesnt look like the class of 92 to me. What do you think Mick ??

Mick, Dublin (03/04/2007 at 13:41)

Well said, Jimmy The Gent.

And I forgot to mention another way in which the kids mirrored the adults from their respective clubs. When the chips were down United dug in and tried to play their way back into the game. When Arsenal were staring dfeat in the face they started commiting nasty, spiteful fouls.

It's no coincidence that Arsenal have one of the worst disciplinary records in the Premiership this season. And Wenger has the cheek to complain about Arsenal getting targetted by thuggish tactics?! Nowt so blind as those who will not see (and this phrase is particularly appropriate for Arsene Wenger!)

Mick, Dublin (03/04/2007 at 13:48)

I'm inclined to agree with you, Lee. I do think Arsenal may have the edge on us in terms of the young talent at their club.

But, like I said in my first comment it takes more than individual talent to win trophies, it takes team spirit and a collective work ethic.

Arsenal had the better individual players last night, no doubt about it. But our collective desire and fighting spirit was what won us the game. And it's these same qualities that have got us to the top of the league. Qualities that, IMHO, are embodied in SAF and percolate down through the whole club.

And, unfortunately for Wenger - unlike talented youg footballers - he can't import these qualities from Africa or France on the cheap!

karma2007, rochdale,greater manchester (03/04/2007 at 15:17)

gRRRt stuff another final but over two legs with the old foe,the main two youth cup teams is nearly allways man u and arsenal,lets get the scousers beat and have this cup in the bag too.
Well done our next breed of talent.

Bradley (03/04/2007 at 15:36)

Fantastic last 45 minutes. United really came to life and showed the gunners what it's like to scrap & fight. Shame only 8000 turned up. Took 3 kids with me as only £2 each to get them in. My youngest no longer supports the bar codes (her mums side influenced this) so well worth it. Have to say fantastic (better than lots of match day) atmosphere. Bring on the dippers booking my ticket today if I can :o)

Steve in Brussels (03/04/2007 at 15:49)

Mick - yeah I watched the Generals impartial commentary - brilliant "Go on lad". "He would have beaten me with that turn". Well played to the lads who down and out with 20 minutes to go stared adversity in the face and had the character to come back - and then again in extra time. Agree on the usual subjects though i though Eckersley the younger showed a lot of fight. Bodes well for the future if a few of those can make the step up

Harris ex-crumpsallite now sweden, Sweden (03/04/2007 at 16:41)

I have a vague memory that Brandy participated in a tournament for 10 yr olds for utd that was shown on MUTV.The tournament included Barcelona who wer the outstanding team but I think that Brandy was voted the best player.Does anyone else remember this?

de Meester, netherlands (03/04/2007 at 16:48)

Come On You Reds!
Great stuff!
Well done. Maybe we can dream and hope that these will be the names to add to the past and present greats for United!

The Red Baron, Here, there, and everywhere (03/04/2007 at 18:56)

Guys, guys. Will you PLEASE lay off the fabulous Wenger? It's his blindness that keeps the Gooners where they are today; also rans. They never lose unless they are cheated / bullied / unlucky or otherwise swindled. He couldn't accept the 'invincibles' losing their record at Old Trafford and so chose not look at his team. Great! Brilliant! Suits us fine. Don't go changing, stay down in 3rd / 4th place. Play pretty, pretty football each season until the pressure's on and then blow up spectacularly. I don't mind. No, really.

Mick, Dublin (03/04/2007 at 22:08)

You could be right about Brandy, Harris. The thing is he's probably exactly the same height now as he was in that under 10 tournament! Great wee player but I really hope he keeps eating his greens.

charbel (04/04/2007 at 08:04)

Lee, when Fergie says "one" lad can make it, he doesn't really have anyone in mind. What that does is it makes every youth team member who reads it think it might be him that Fergie's talking about. Then they go and try extra hard to get into the 1st team. It's a nice trick previously tried by Fergie last season actually when he said that Keane's future replacement is already at OT. It made the likes of Smith, Fletcher, O'Shea, D and R Jones, Fortune and Gibson focus more, believing they're the chosen "one".

chris, oxford (04/04/2007 at 09:34)

Harris that was the Milk Cup in N Ireland I believe - United finished bottom but Brandy was top scorer and voted player of the tournament. He is a player I was hugely impressed with and hope that he has continued to develop but I've not seen him in a while having cancelled MUpropagandaTV a while ago.

Lee , Heywood, Heywood (04/04/2007 at 09:59)

Charbel I hope your wrong ! Your theory on SAFs tactics re Fletch Oshea Smith etc failed miserably.

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