Video: Watch Kai Rooney score a brilliant goal as Man United U18s smash Birmingham City 6-0
Manchester United U18s thrashed Birmingham City 6-0 in their final group fixture in the U18 Premier League Cup on Wednesday afternoon.
James Bailey impressed with a goal and two assists, while Kai Rooney caught the eye with a fantastic goal, and new goalkeeper Charlie Hardy made his debut in the fixture.
United started the game strongly, with Szymon Terenowicz in the Birmingham goal called to action by JJ Gabriel and Junior Brown early on.
Man United broke the deadlock in the 17th minute from full-back Jacob Watson’s corner-kick, which beat Terenowicz.
United continued to control proceedings after taking the lead and eventually doubled their lead before halftime.
Douka Nkoto robbed Isifu Drammeh of possession and teed up Jaume Camacho, whose effort was parried away by the goalkeeper. The ball fell nicely to Gabriel, who tucked it home.
Hardy had to be alert to prevent Birmingham from scoring a corner themselves just before the hour mark., tipping the ball away from goal.
The United goalkeeper almost gifted Birmingham the equaliser when his clearance was picked up by Nikolai Degtiarev, but the striker could not hit the target.
The Red Devils finished the game strongly, scoring four times in the final 10 minutes.
Rafe McCormack made it 3-0, finding the net from Bailey’s free-kick, before the 17-year-old midfielder set up Jay McEvoy for United’s fourth goal.
Bailey then got in on the act, thumping the ball home following a brilliant build-up involving Nkoto and McEvoy.
Rooney completed the scoring, collecting the ball from an acute angle, before smashing a powerful shot past Terenowicz, as United ran out 6-0 winners.
The victory sees United end the U18 Premier League Cup group phase with maximum points from three games, finishing top of Group G and securing a berth in the knock-out stages.
Article written by Henry Thornton .