On Monday evening, the Manchester United U18 team took to the field at Carrington as they continued their pursuit of the title.
The match against Middlesbrough occurred just three days following Manchester United’s intense 120-minute encounter with Arsenal.
This previous victory propelled Adam Lawrence’s squad into the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup, where they will face either Aston Villa or Plymouth, courtesy of Bendito Mantato’s decisive goal.
Jack Fletcher was a standout performer in United’s 3-2 triumph, but due to the strong lineup utilized on Friday, Monday’s match featured numerous changes, resulting in a 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough. This win elevated United’s academy team to the top of the league, although Manchester City still has one game in hand.
During the match, Jim Thwaites delivered an impressive performance, contributing both a goal and an assist, although his teammate may have outshone him.
| Rank | Club | Played | Points |
| 1 | Man United | 17 | 44 |
| 2 | Man City | 16 | 43 |
James Scanlon having a breathtaking season for Manchester United
Although Thwaites delivered an impressive performance on Monday night, it was James Scanlon who truly shone for United.
Scanlon’s outstanding displays have been a hallmark of United’s season, and Monday night showcased yet another exceptional effort from the Gibraltar international.
He netted two goals, enabling United to transform a potential defeat into a decisive victory, a feat he has accomplished multiple times this season.
With his two goals, Scanlon has now accumulated 17 goals and seven assists for United this season across both U18 and U21 competitions.
| Level | Goals | Assists |
| U18 | 16 | 6 |
| U21 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 17 | 7 |
Scanlon is already a record-breaking senior international, and it is evident that his time as an U18 player is limited, given that his skills align well with the needs of Ruben Amorim’s team.
Manchester United’s attack needs James Scanlon
Scanlon’s remarkable performance, coupled with his slight age advantage, has led to increasing calls for his inclusion in the first team.
The decision to withhold promotion for Scanlon has left many at United perplexed, as his commanding form clearly warrants an opportunity to advance.
The current state of United’s attacking lineup, featuring only a limited number of players, has allowed Chido Obi to showcase his talents at the first team level.
Scanlon stands out as a prime candidate to follow in Obi’s footsteps, bringing a level of quality to United that is currently lacking among many squad members.
Manchester United attackers under contract
| Player | Status |
| Alejandro Garnacho | Available |
| Amad Diallo | Injured |
| Antony | Loan |
| Chido Obi | Available |
| Joshua Zirkzee | Available |
| Marcus Rashford | Loan |
| Rasmus Hojlund | Available |
Amad Diallo’s injury, coupled with Antony’s loan and Marcus Rashford’s absence, leaves Manchester United with only Alejandro Garnacho as the sole attacker capable of taking on defenders and posing challenges.
Scanlon has the potential to fulfill this role for Amorim and is rapidly establishing himself as an indispensable player. It is possible that he may take Obi’s place in the Europa League this week, as the striker is not registered for the competition.