Match Review: Altrincham 0-4 Manchester United U21s
This match nearly caught me out, because Google's fixture listing doesn't have the National League Cup games on it. Rude.
Three goals from Ethan Ennis (above) and one from Amir Ibragimov (below) gave United's U21s a strong victory away at nearby Altrincham; based in southwest Greater Manchester and currently sat mid-table in the National League.
It's a promising season for United's U18s and normally the U21s suffer from that, with prospects pushed out to loans or absorbed into the First Team, but United's U21s are starting to look like a tasty side too - most notably Harry Amass, Sam Mather, Ethan Ennis, and Amir Ibragimov.
Ennis' first goal after 16 minutes was a banger, rifled in to the top right corner. Altrincham battled a bit but then 10 minutes later... Ethan Ennis hits another banger at the top right corner from the left side of the box.
It would then quieten down a bit until a Victor Musa effort rebounded off the crossbar for Ibragimov to tap home for 3-0, and then Ennis would secure his hat-trick in the 90th minute on a counter-attack after a great throughball but an even better chipped finish over the outstretched Altrincham keeper.
This and the 3-2 win over National League leaders Forest Green Rovers means United are looking very promising for progression in the cup - something we didn't achieve in the Football League Trophy.
United's next fixture NOW is that evening home tie vs West Ham at Leigh Sports Village on November 29th at 7pm. We've no indication of it being on MUTV but it's a Friday night... so maybe.
