Heaven’s heroics not enough as Solihull Moors hit four past Man United U21s

Manchester United U21s lost 4-1 at Solihull Moors in the National League Cup on Tuesday evening.

As reported before kick-off, first team centre-back Ayden Heaven was named in the starting XI.

Meanwhile, striker Chido Obi, who scored in the 2-0 win at Rochdale, did not make the matchday squad due to a suspected knock, allowing Gabriele Biancheri to lead the line.

Joe Sbarra nearly gave the hosts the lead with their first shot on target, but Heaven made a goalline clearance to deny him.

Moments later, the England youth international made another vital block to prevent Darius Lipsiuc from going through on goal.

United drew the first blood with a superb effort from Bendito Mantato, who outmuscled his marker to get onto Jack Fletcher’s pass before calmly slotting the ball into the net.

However, the hosts turned the game around before the break, much to the disappointment of the young Reds.

Emmanuel Sonupe drew level for the National League side after Heaven failed to deal with a ball over the top, and Lipsiuc put them ahead with a finish at the back post.

Bradley Stevenson added to Moor’s advantage shortly after the restart, heading the ball home from Ollie Tipton’s cross.

James Scanlon wasted a chance to pull one back for Man United, blazing wide from Jayce Fitzgerald’s pass.

Man United should have been awarded a penalty when Mantato went down under Cameron Green’s challenge, but the referee opted not to award a spot-kick.

Sam Bowen sealed the victory for Chris Millington’s side with a long range effort that deflected off Dan Armer and into the net.

Following today’s defeat, United sit sixth in Group A, picking up three points from three games.

The young Reds have now been knocked out of the competition but will face Tamworth in a rearranged clash on December 16.

Article written by Henry Thornton .