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Manchester United u21s opened the inaugural National League Cup with a 2-3 win over a strong Forest Green Rovers side who currently sit second place in the National League.
Here are our player ratings for the match. Read the detailed match report of all the action here.
(A score of 6 is around average)
Dermot Mee – 6.5 – Wasn’t called into question too often but did make one decent save and did well with the ball at his feet.
Habeeb Ogunneye – 6.5 – Provided a good assist for Ennis’ goal but should have cleared his lines earlier leading up to Forest Green’s second.
Louis Jackson – 5.5 – A shaky first half where he struggled at times against two very experienced strikers for Forest Green. Backed off too much at times including for their first goal and couldn’t get a foot in for their second. But he looked to get to grips with the challenge in the second half and closed them down much better.
Jack Kingdon – 7 – Dealt with the physical challenge very well and wasn’t afraid to get stuck in against a tough opponent, making some vital interventions inside the box.
Tommy Rowe – 6.5 – A decent performance overall but really shone in the final 15 minutes when he pushed into midfield and acted as a magnet for the ball, collecting every Forest Green clearance and calmly spreading the ball with one touch passing.
Finley McAllister – 6 – A mixed bag as he was caught off guard early on, coughing up possession under pressure a few times including for their first goal. But he was very good defensively, a sniff of a loose touch and he was in there mopping it up with some very good tackles and improved on the ball as the match went on.
Dan Gore – 7.5 – Another good performance, looked the only United player up to the speed of the match from the get go and capable of taking the ball under pressure which he evaded with deft feints to open the space. Unfortunately came off with some discomfort so can only hope it isn’t anything serious having just returned from a lengthy injury.
Malachi Sharpe – 8 – A real lively performance on the right wing, he was a threat every time he touched the ball with searing pace to run at the Forest Green backline with the most of our danger coming from his side. Showed great commitment for his goal to launch the attack and then also follow into the box to find the finish.
Zach Baumann – 6.5 – Safe in possession, he was involved in some good interlinking play in the final third and could have had a goal of his own if not for a poor finish.
Sam Mather – 6.5 – Some good touches and crafty footwork around the edge of the box but just couldn’t quite find an opening.
Ethan Ennis – 7.5 – Came up in the big moments with a goal and assist, taking his goal very well inside the box despite not naturally excelling as a striker. More accustomed to the wing, he drifted wide and delivered a great cross for Sharpe’s goal. But it is clear that he is very much a winger rather than a centre forward.
Substitutes
Tyler Fredricson – 6.5 – Slotted in at the back with a steady performance, clearing what came his way.
Jack Moorhouse – 7 – Moved the ball very well, rarely taking a bad touch and came close to adding a goal when he ventured into the Forest Green area.
Ethan Williams – 7 – Did really well to breakout from the back and switch the ball to set Musa free for the match winner. Also linked well with Kukonki and Rowe on the left side to control the match in the dying stages.
Victor Musa – 7 – Provided the winning goal with an impressive amount of composure to slow the play down and curl into the corner despite the recovering defender. Worked hard tracking back as well.
Godwill Kukonki – 7 – Impressive cameo off the bench he was involved from the get go with a good headed clearance that led to Musa’s goal and he got up and down at left back with authority and demanding the ball.
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