Manchester United U21s 4-1 West Ham United U21s
Premier League 2, Quarter-Final, Leigh Sports Village, Monday 5 May 2025, 3pm BST
West Ham United U21s saw their Premier League 2 campaign come to an end at the quarter-final stage of the play-offs following a 4-1 defeat away to Manchester United.
Despite a promising and controlled first-half showing, capped by a composed finish from Emeka Adiele, the young Hammers were undone by a strong second-half response from the hosts, who struck four times after the break to turn the tie around.
West Ham started brightly in Manchester and looked sharp in the opening exchanges, with Adiele firing an early effort straight at Elyh Harrison after intercepting a loose pass high up the pitch. At the other end, Kaelan Casey was alert to clear a dangerous low ball from James Scanlon, ensuring the match remained goalless in the early stages.
It was a first half defined by tactical discipline from both sides, but West Ham capitalised on the game's first major mistake to edge in front. With 30 minutes played, Lewis Orford seized on a loose ball just outside the Manchester United penalty area before sliding a pass through to Adiele. The winger made no mistake, finishing confidently across goal to give Mark Robson’s side the lead.
The hosts responded by controlling possession before the break, but the backline of Ezra Mayers, Airidas Golambeckis and Casey held firm to preserve the slender advantage at half-time.
However, the second half told a different story. Manchester United equalised just six minutes after the restart in a mirror image of West Ham’s opener. Orford was caught in possession in his own half, allowing Tyler Fletcher to feed Scanlon, who finished clinically to level proceedings.
The momentum continued to swing in Manchester United's favour, and they took the lead on the hour mark. Fletcher again played provider, this time turning sharply and finding Ethan Wheatley, who squeezed a finish past Fin Herrick at his near post.
West Ham pushed to regain a foothold, but were hit by a deflected third with just over ten minutes to play, as Sam Murray’s effort ricocheted off a defender and in off the post. Substitute Sam Mather then added a fourth in stoppage time, cutting inside from the left to curl home and seal the result.
Manchester United U21s: Harrison, Kukonki, Jackson, Ogunneye ©, Murray, Tyler Fletcher, Devaney (Rowe 79), Koné (Jack Fletcher 90+3), Mather, Wheatley (Boancheri 88), Scanlon
Subs not used: Murdock (GK), Munro
Goals: Scanlon 51, Wheatley 60, Murray 78, Mather 90+2
Booked: Devaney, Wheatley
West Ham United U21s: Herrick, Robinson, Mayers, Akpata, Golambeckis (Rigge 72), Casey ©, Swyer (Battrum 69), Orford (Briggs 90+1), Ajala, Adiele, Clayton (Battrum 61)
Subs not used: Terry (GK), Moore
Goal: Adiele 30
Booked: Clayton, Akpata
Robson: That wasn't us in the second half, it’s not been who we are all season
Having impressed with a disciplined and assertive first-half performance, the young Hammers struggled to maintain their composure after the interval.
A strong second-half display from Manchester United turned a one-goal Hammers lead into a 4-1 quarter-final defeat. It was an uncharacteristic end to what has otherwise been a strong season of development for the young Hammers, who reached the final eight for a second successive year.
Reflecting on the defeat and the broader campaign, U21s lead coach Mark Robson shared: “I thought first half we were really good. We defended well, kept them at bay, and looked really organised and disciplined in what we were doing.
“We created chances too. Obviously we scored the goal, but we also forced some good openings through our pressing early on. I felt we looked in control going in at half-time, and it was just about more of the same.
“But I’ve got to say, I thought the first 15 minutes of the second half is where we lost the game. We stopped doing what we had been doing so well in the first half. Manchester United came out with more intensity, and we didn’t handle it well enough.
“I’m really disappointed with that second-half performance because it wasn’t us, it’s not been who we are all season. We gave the ball away too often, didn’t control the lead we had, and lost a bit of composure. At times, it didn’t look like the team we’ve seen consistently throughout the year.
“That said, it has been a really good season for us. There have been a lot of positives, players stepping up to the first team, others doing well on loan, and some of the younger boys making their mark at U21 level.
“Today was a big learning experience for those younger lads too. It’s disappointing, because we were hoping to get at least one stage further this season but it wasn't to be.”