Manchester United U21s hosted Leicester City U21s on Monday afternoon at Leigh Sports Village.
Adam Lawrence’s side looked to continue their bright start to the season following last week’s 5-0 dispatching of Ipswich Town.
The young Red Devils were bolstered by the availability of Shea Lacey, who stepped down after being an unused substitute in the first team’s win on Sunday.
First half
United started brightly, with Amir Ibragimov flashing a ball across the face of goal that was just out of the reach of Ashton Missin at the back post. Missin kept the ball alive, dribbling back inside and skipping between two defenders before rolling his effort wide of the left post.
Space was found down the right wing again shortly after; this time, Jaydan Kamason centred for Ibragimov, but the United number nine completely whiffed his attempt as he missed the ball.
It was only a matter of time before United made the breakthrough, and Shea Lacey was the one to convert in the 14th minute.
Jack Fletcher opened up play with a pass out wide to Lacey, who cut inside and fired from 30 yards into the bottom left corner, leaving the keeper rooted to the spot.
What a great goal @Shealacey10 #MUFC #MUAcademy #SheaLacey pic.twitter.com/pZu7sg0Hge
— Benjamin Brazil (@bennymufc) August 31, 2026
For the second match in a row, Ibragimov was denied what looked like a stonewall penalty when he chopped inside the defender and was taken down, but the referee waved play on.
Against the run of play, Leicester equalised in the 27th minute from a quick corner that caught United napping, resulting in a free header at the back post.
Just seconds after the restart, Missin went on a 50-yard charge through the middle of the park before laying off to Lacey, who dispatched his second of the match between the defender’s legs.
In stoppage time, United made it 3-1 when Tynan Thompson beat his marker down the left wing and cut back to Ibragimov, who was waiting on the penalty spot to finish with a deflected shot.
Second half
The visitors came out hot from the break with a quick counter-attack, but Will Murdock was up to the task and made his only save of the match.
Leicester switched to a back three in the second half, which saw less space given to the United attack but also meant Leicester provided little threat at the other end as United cruised through the latter stages of the match.
It was not until the 86th minute that substitute JJ Gabriel applied a bit of magic to dance past two defenders and find the far right corner to give United the 4-1 win.
JJ Gabriel goal for Manchester United's U21s Vs Leicester City in the Premier League 2 #MUFC #MUAcademy #JJGabriel #ManchesterUnited #ManUtd #PL2 pic.twitter.com/ELWGl7e1VG
— Benjamin Brazil (@bennymufc) August 31, 2026
United now have nearly a two-week break before they are back in action to take on crosstown rivals Manchester City on the 12th of September.
Match facts
United: Murdock, Kamason, Munro (Mills 75), Armer, Mantato (Kukonki 75), T. Fletcher, Thwaites, Lacey (Gabriel 60), J. Fletcher, Missin (Thompson 40), Ibragimov (Musa 75)
Unused subs: Byrne-Hughes, Orozco
Goals: Lacey 14, 29, Ibragimov 45+2, Gabriel 86
Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images
