Under 21s report v Leeds Utd | 3 April 2026 | Manchester United

The match began at high pace, but both teams’ attacking ambitions were complicated by the strong winds blustering over Thorp Arch.

Conditions made judging aerial balls particularly trying, and it was no coincidence that United’s only serious attempt in the first 20 minutes came via a deflected Jack Fletcher cross that fizzed just wide.

Both sides were very evenly matched during that first phase, but the Reds broke through in the 24th minute when Shea Lacey teed up Jack Fletcher for another inswinger, which flew on the wind past everyone inside the box, including Leeds goalkeeper Alex Cairns.

That first moment of consequence signalled a major shift in the game, with United thereafter assuming significant control. Chido went through just before the half-hour mark, and Cairns did well to save low down to his right, and Sonny Aljofree really should have scored when a perfect cross from the other Fletcher brother, Tyler, found him free just yards out.

But one minute before the interval, United found a merited second, when Shea Lacey and Jack Moorhouse combined with slick purpose to send Jack Fletcher through to double his haul.