Manchester United U19s lost 3-0 to Atletico de Madrid in the UEFA Youth League, despite an improved second-half performance and several important saves from Cameron Byrne-Hughes.
The Atletico United Youth League result leaves Adam Lawrence’s side unable to build on their opening win over Sabah. Joel Sanchez and Daniel Fitzgerald scored before half-time, with substitute Gonzalo Gross adding the third after the break.
Atletico United Youth League game turns on first-half finishes
In the Atletico United Youth League tie, United created an early opening when a deflection allowed Amir Ibragimov to shoot, but his attempt went wide. Sanchez then put Atletico ahead in the ninth minute with a powerful strike.
Ibragimov had an opportunity to equalise after Tyler Fletcher’s through ball. With goalkeeper Diego Piqueras advancing, his lob went over the bar.
Byrne-Hughes kept United in the contest with a series of interventions. He retrieved a misplaced backpass, denied Fitzgerald with his leg and made a remarkable save from a corner in the 28th minute.
Fitzgerald nevertheless doubled Atletico’s lead three minutes later with another shot from distance. United reached the interval with a two-goal deficit.
United improve but Atletico add a third
The second half of the Atletico United Youth League tie was more even. Bendito Mantato shot wide after cutting inside early in the second half, while Fletcher tested Piqueras from the edge of the area.
Substitute Jaume Camacho came close to pulling a goal back, but his header from Jim Thwaites’ cross was blocked by Adrian Lis-Zielinski. Kai Rooney also came on for his UEFA Youth League debut.
Atletico made the points safe in the 71st minute. Gross received a pass from fellow substitute Guillermo Trujiliano, moved inside and finished low past Byrne-Hughes.
What follows the defeat in Madrid?
After the Atletico United Youth League defeat, United’s official report says Como are the next opponents in the competition next week. The Madrid trip supplied a tougher test after the young Reds’ five-goal opening victory over Sabah.
There were better spells after half-time, but the scoreline reflects Atletico’s decisive finishing. Byrne-Hughes’ work prevented further damage without changing the outcome.
The three goals came from three different scorers. Sanchez struck in the ninth minute, Fitzgerald added the second on 31 minutes and Gross finished on 71 minutes. Between those goals, United created chances after the break through Mantato, Fletcher and Camacho, but Atletico held firm. Byrne-Hughes was United’s most active player, with his save from the 28th-minute corner standing out in the official report.
Read the United Youth League preview for the campaign background. Match events are from Manchester United’s official report, with the final score also confirmed in the club’s match centre.
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