Sir Alex Ferguson watched as United U18s lost to Villa in FA Youth Cup

Sir Alex Ferguson was in attendance as Manchester United U18s lost on penalties to Aston Villa in the FA Youth Cup semi-final on Monday evening at Villa Park.

Coach Adam Lawrence named a strong starting line-up, including the prolific Chido Obi, James Scanlon, and Gabriel Biancheri.

The hosts quickly took the lead in the third minute. A free-kick was deflected off the wall, and the ball fell kindly to Trai-Varn Mulley, who smashed it home.

United equalised in the 23rd minute through Scanlon. Villa failed to clear their lines, allowing the onrushing Scanlon to find the bottom left corner.

Villa won a penalty in the 37th minute after Kamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba was brought down in the box following a poor pass from midfielder Jacob Devaney.

Captain Aidan Borland stepped up to take the spot-kick but failed to hit the target.

The Red Devils had a golden opportunity to take the lead before halftime when Obi picked out Tyler Fletcher, but his effort struck the post.

Three minutes after the restart, goalkeeper Will Murdock made a point-blank save to deny Mason Catchpole from giving Villa the lead.

In the 52nd minute, Jaydan Kamason and Gabriel Biancheri combined to set up Obi, but the Danish striker fired his effort straight at goalkeeper Sam Proctor.

Four minutes after the hour mark, Murdock produced another fine save to deny Jimoh-Aloba and keep the scores level.

Proctor then did well to prevent substitute Zach Baumann from giving United the lead in the 80th minute.

Defender Reece Munro missed a big chance to win in stoppage time, heading Jim Thwaites’ set-piece wide. The match proceeded to extra time.

Six minutes into the first half of extra time, United had a great chance to take the lead when Kamason cut the ball back for Obi, but he fired his effort wide.

Right after the start of the second half of extra time, substitute Amir Ibragimov won a free-kick on the edge of the Villa box. Thwaites stepped up but sent his effort wide.

The game was ultimately decided on penalties, with Aston Villa defeating United 3-1, ending the Red Devils’ hopes of winning the competition for the 12th time.

Article written by Henry Thornton .