DARREN FLETCHER’S goalkeeper gamble didn’t work out as a 10-man Manchester United Under-18s lost the Premier League Cup to Crystal Palace on penalties.
Fletcher substituted goalkeeper Cameron Bryne-Hughes late into extra-time in the hopes of winning the shootout, but his replacement Freddie Heath failed to save a single spot kick.
Darren Fletcher had a treble in sight, but his tactical gamble tonight backfired Credit: Alamy
Fletcher brought on a ‘keeper especially for the penalties, but he didn’t make a single saveCredit: Refer to source
The Red Devils waved goodbye to their treble hopes, just days after dispatching this same Palace team 2-1 to reach Youth Cup final.
United looked set to kickstart a bumper run-in for three trophies before an injury time red card to Albert Mills and a resulting penalty forced extra-time.
There was an injury boost for Fletcher ahead of kick-off, as Amir Ibragimov returned to the bench for the first time since November following a broken foot.
While a host of unavailable stars, like Kai Rooney, watched on from the stands.
Palace had the better of the opening 15 minutes and could have easily gone ahead when striker Ben Casey nodded wide from inside the area.
But that seemed to flip a switch for the United players, who went 1-0 up just five a few moments later through Noah Ajayi.
Former academy striker held the ball up like a seasoned pro, before pulling it back to Ajayi who tucked it into the bottom corner with aplomb.
Chido, 18, had been brought in as somewhat of a ringer for Fletcher’s talent-stacked side.
The forward, who has already made eight first-team appearances for United, hadn’t played a single minute in this competition before today but was drafted in to lead the line for the final.
Highly-rated 15-year-old came close to doubling United’s lead on three occasions before the half-time whistle but couldn’t beat Palace stopper Benetton, who made a host of terrific saves to keep his side alive.
But Palace frontman Casey kept banging on the door and ultimately got his moment during six added minutes of injury time at the end of the second half.
The 18-year-old was storming through on goal for a one-on-one when he was brought down in the area by Mills.
Referee Fabio Roque had no choice but to show a straight red card to Mills for denial of a goalscoring opportunity, and award a penalty to Palace.
Palace’s persistence paid off and Casey blasted home the spot-kick to set up extra-time against 10 men.
Casey almost grabbed the winning goal just six minutes into extra-time too, forcing a sensational low save out of Cameron Bryne-Hughes in the United net.
Before Dean Benamar lashed yet another effort onto the crossbar from the rebound for Palace.
JJ Gabriel in action against Crystal Palace Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
United thought they had earned a late penalty of their own when substitute Samuel Lusale was brought down in the box in the second half of extra-time, but their appeals were emphatically waved away by the referee.
Fellow sub Jay McEvoy had a golden opportunity to win it at the death too, but blazed over after some sensational solo skill to beat two palace defenders.
With it clear the game was heading to penalties, United boss Fletcher tried a tactical masterstroke by replacing keeper Bryne-Huges with Heath.
Unfortunately for United, that gamble didn’t workout as Heath failed to save a single penalty and dived the wrong way for five of the six he let in.
Eagles stopper Lucca Benetton was the hero, saving Godwill Kukoni’s spot-kick to allow Benamar to win the game for Palace with the next pen.
Despite the heartbreak, Fletcher’s side are still on track to win a double as things stand.
They sit just three points behind local rivals Man City at the top of the U18 Premier League North Group and have already set up an FA Youth Cup final against their neighbours next month.
The chase for the remaining two prizes continues on Saturday when Fletcher’s youngsters travel to face in the U18 Premier League.
However, they could be without star man Ajayi, who was forced off in the second half with injury and replaced by Lusale.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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