Manchester United vs Liverpool: a FA Youth Cup clash with plenty of promise!

Written by Lewis Bower, @LewisBower2021, on April 2nd 2021.

MAN UTD U18 VS LIVERPOOL U18

03/04/2021 15:00 Leigh Sports Village MUTV LFCTV

Manchester and Liverpool; Two cities interlocked in footballing history go head-to-head in the Fourth Round of the FA Youth Cup this Saturday. A fierce edge supplements two showcase ties involving the country’s finest talent as Liverpool travel across the M62 to lock horns with Manchester United.

The threat of a David vs Goliath upset quickly errs into a 'clash of the titans' tie for both sides. Premier League Liverpool hit Isthmian central side Sutton for six, while United brushed aside local rivals Salford 2-0 in the previous round.

United arguably head into the tie as favourites having already bested Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s men twice this season, albeit in narrow victories by a single goal each time. Any hope of League success has drifted away for Liverpool, and the motive of revenge should ensure Liverpool are chomping at the bit. United's star striker, Charlie McNeil’s playfully mischievous comments should be enough alone.

“IT WOULD BE GREAT TO WIN THAT GAME... ALSO TO RUB IT IN LIVERPOOL'S FACE ASWELL” – Charlie McNeill after the 2-0 victory over Salford.

MANCHESTER UNITED: THE LINEUP

The Young Red Devils side are in the midst of a fine campaign, topping the U18 Premier League while conceding less goals than anyone else. With the talent to rival any academy in Europe they often play with the swagger to match with confidence brimming throughout the side.

We can expect to see a number of players dropping down for the much-anticipated clash.

Fortunately for United's FA Youth Cup ambitions, the 23's do not have a game this weekend meaning it is more likely and easier, for United to move players down age groups. United last victory against Liverpool at this level, saw players drop down.

It is a testament to the impressiveness of the United academy that they are able to call on a number of players who are playing at U23 level and drafting them back down when needs be.

The impressive left-back, poached from Real Madrid in the Summer, Alvaro Fernandez is extremely likely to feature on the left-hand side of a resolute United defence having dropped down for the last tie against Salford and the Premier League 2 fixture against Liverpool. Will Fish is a U23 regular and England U18 international who played in the last U18 fixture another possible addition in the heart of the defence.

One of the biggest question marks surrounds the inclusion of Joe Hugill. A two-pronged attack of Hugill and McNeil should be outlawed in the FA handbook for the U18 level. With no U23 game this weekend and the magnitude of the tie, it would be no surprise to see Hugill lead the line with a marginally deeper McNeill. Two clinical sharpshooters who have 31 goals between them this season. It won't be a quiet afternoon for the Liverpool backline.

McNeill is not shy of expressing himself. And it is United's most maligned foes he loves to ruffle the feathers of most, ensuring to save a little bit of added zest in his celebration against City and Liverpool. McNeil, who tallies an impressive 15 goals in as many games, swapped blue for red in October in a controversial switch after breaking goal scoring records throughout City's youth levels and is certain to lead the line on Saturday.

In theory, United could play Shola Shoretire, but with Covid bubbles and first-team involvement, it's very unlikely.

United will look to play some variation of the 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 depending on Hugill's inclusion. Fish would be a massive bonus for United in the centre of defence who not only offers his quality on the ball and defensively, but can often be seen managing other defenders.

Other players to look out for include the son of Robbie Savage, Charlie, who is tasked with creating from midfield. Omari Forson will threaten for United after impressing in recent weeks, while the captain and youth international, Svidersky is highly regarded, displaying match intelligence beyond his years and apt in a number of positions.

LIVERPOOL: THE LINEUP

Injuries and promotion have ravaged this young Liverpool side throughout the season. Luca Stephenson and Balagizi's welcome return was only compounded by centre back, Lee Jonas' injury in the last round. Jonas left in a protective boot with the extent still unknown. Miles may well have to deputise.

Right-back, Sean Wilson has also been a casualty of late, seeing Isaac Mabaya fill in as a makeshift right back. While Mabaya has done well, his talents are much more suited to his natural role, in the centre of midfield. Defensive changes are a real worry against the attacking talent of United. We can expect captain Quansah in the centre of defence and marauding left-back James Norris to start, fresh from England duty together.

Similarly to their opponents, we saw an instance of a player dropping down from the U23's in Tyler Morton, who opened the scoring in the last round from 25 yards. Should Morton drop down again, it will provide a boost for Liverpool with Morton arguably the academy player of the season. Stepping up to the U23's from the U18's was seamless. A regular goal threat while often dropping in to block space, lead the press and help double up with his fullback, Morton has come on leaps and bounds this season.

Liverpool's midfield has a delicate synergy to it. Stephenson provides composure and mops up loose balls Dom Corness' vision and technique adds an extra dimension for Liverpool's attack. When Tyler Morton was added in the last round, we saw how Sutton was starved of the ball, although Manchester United are an entirely different prospect. This also allows star man James Balagizi to stray into the pockets ahead of the midfield where he thrives, twisting and turning and disrupting the backline. Being able to play Balagizi here could be crucial.

It wouldn't be a Liverpool academy focus if we didn't mention that diminutive Polish boy, who is quickly becoming a diminutive Polish man. Nat Phillips repeatedly kicking you in first-team training is certainly character building. Mateusz Musialowski comes in from the left, fresh from 2 weeks of first-team training and a barrage of hype to follow

A quiet first half saw Musialowski come to life in the second with his slaloming dribble befuddling Sutton players endlessly and showing why many are clamouring for him to be fast-tracked. Of course, this is premature right now, but the talent is clear and Manchester United will have to keep a close eye on a unique player. He and Balagizi have the tentative signs of a bubbling partnership.

Finally, Layton Stewart's promotion has seen Liverpool strikerless for prolonged periods of the campaign. Woltman and Musialowski have been tested as strikers with little success. It has, at times, been blunt. A stark contrast to an opposition who boasts Hugill and McNeil. But the emergence of 16-year-old Ethan Ennis foreshadows a lot of promise heading in next season.

The day of the last round, he spent in school. Clearly, he spent his day carefully plotting the demise of Sutton with only 22 minutes between his introduction and his third goal against Sutton. Baptism of fire. Quickly becoming one of my favourite academy players, Ennis not only displays the intensity required, the quick feet, the constant movement, the venom in his press; he plays like he's really angry. He clearly adds the penalty box presence left by Stewart and Liverpool look a much better side for it.

Kaide Gordon is a huge loss. Having been ever-present since his move from Derby, we saw Gordon put on a display worthy of MOTM in the recent intra-squad friendly. Gordon's absence could be deciding factor.

Injuries in key areas that are the prominent strength of Manchester United probably shifts the tie towards the Mancunians. While the game will undoubtedly be competitive with a few tasty to boot the absence of Kaide Gordon might be too much for Liverpool in a tie of this magnitude. However, with the talent on show it would be no surprise should Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's side run out winners.

The game will be broadcast live on MUTV and LFCTV at 3PM

Written by Lewis Bower, @LewisBower2021.