VIDEO: Watch great Man Utd Under-23 team goal as Amad Diallo & Shola Shoretire shine
By Tom Gott
Manchester United Under-23s gifted us what could well be the match of the weekend on Friday as they roared to a thrilling 6-4 win over Blackburn Rovers Under-23s - with Amad Diallo again putting in a star performance.
Rovers entered the game as leaders in the Premier League 2, having lost just twice in their 13 games this season, but they met a United side who were full of confidence after putting six goals past Liverpool last time out.
⚽ Slick build-up play led to this well-taken goal by Hannibal earlier in tonight's #MUAcademy game...
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 5, 2021
Tune in to follow the action as the goals keep coming ⤵#MUFC #MUTV
Knowing they were in for a tough game, United boss Neil Wood deployed a team featuring new first-team signing Amad Diallo and 17-year-old sensation Shola Shoretire, who recently rejected the advances of Europe's top sides to extend his stay at Old Trafford.
A sloppy start from United gifted Blackburn the lead, but an excellent solo goal from Hannibal Mejbri levelled things up in the 20th minute. The Frenchman weaved his way past a handful of defenders before slamming home in emphatic fashion.
The visitors regained their lead soon after, but Shoretire ensured United went into the break on level terms. Mejbri fed Amad down the right, who cut the ball back for Shoretire to tie things up with a simple finish.
United's front four, which also featured towering striker Joe Hugill, continued to impress after the break, but it was Blackburn who regained their lead from the penalty spot, and it looked like this was all over when the visitors made it 4-2 in the 56th minute.
That's when Amad and Shoretire went wild.
Shoretire headed home a cross from the Ivorian in the 72nd minute, two minutes before Hugill did the same from a Harvey Neville cross to tie things up.
Amad bagged his third assist of the night just four minutes later, setting up Shoretire to fire home his hat-trick, before getting on the score sheet himself with an excellent volley, sealing what was an enthralling comeback.
That's now two straight games in which United's Under-23s have netted six goals, so it's not hard to see why Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been keeping a close eye on them.
Amad is expected to challenge for a spot in the first team in the very near future, while Shoretire, Hugill and Mejbri have all been tipped to make an impact before the current season is up.