Premier Academy League
20 March 2010, Middlewood Road
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 0
MANCHESTER UNITED 0
United were held to a third consecutive draw in the Premier Academy League, this time against Sheffield Wednesday at Middlewood Road.
It was another frustrating morning for Paul McGuinness' Under-18s as a stubborn Wednesday side earned only their third home point of the season.
United were shorn of Will Keane, Robbie Brady, Davide Petrucci, Ravel Morrison, Ryan Tunnicliffe and Luke Giverin through injury or illness, while Sean McGinty and Michael Keane were away on international duty, Scott Wootton and Reece Brown were benched after recent Reserve duty, and Nick Ajose was left out all together.[/i]
That did allow left-back Tyler Blackett and right midfielder Jack Barmby the opportunity to step up from the Under-16s for their first starts in the U18s. Highlight United's selection difficulties, Scott Moffatt stepped in at right-back as an overage player.
Wednesday hit the bar as the Reds survived an early scare, but United began to threaten through lone striker John Cofie. The England youth international fired over from one chance created by Etzaz Hussain.
That promising start from both teams was not backed up with many more opportunities, as the match descended into a scrappy contest in midfield, Wednesday doing their very best - and succeeding - in stifling United's attacking intentions.
Neither side could break the deadlock, although United could be thankful to an excellent second-half save from Sam Johnstone to keep the Owls out. So the Reds returned to Manchester with just a point for the third match running. League leaders Everton now have a three-point lead at the top of the Premier Academy League Group C.
Manchester United: Johnstone; Moffatt, Fornasier, Thorpe, Blackett; Barmby, Pogba, Hussain, Lingard, Cole; Cofie.
Subs not used: Devlin, Wootton, Brown.
Indice 
