Back with a bang: Gabriel inspires Man United U18s win over Liverpool to revive title hopes

Manchester United U18s returned to winning ways in the U18 Premier League North on Wednesday afternoon after beating Liverpool 4-1 at Carrington.

United have reduced Manchester City’s lead at the top of the table to three points, though the Cityzens have a game in hand.

Top scorer JJ Gabriel returned to the team after missing the defeat at Sunderland. He scored a brace to continue his brilliant form.

United got off to a bright start with Noah Ajayi squaring the ball across the face of goal to Louie Bradbury, whose effort sailed wide.

The young Reds went ahead in the 18th minute. Rafe McCormack picked out Nathaniel-Junior Brown, who teed up Jay McEvoy to apply the finish.

McEvoy then assumed defensive duties, stopping La’more Lee Forrester in his tracks.

The 17-year-old doubled United’s lead on the half-hour mark, after playing a one-two with Jim Thwaites. He then opened up his body to fire past goalkeeper Bailey Hall.

The visitors finished the first half strongly, with Lee Forrester curling wide before AJ Yeguo failed to hit the target from a promising position.

McEvoy came close to extending United’s tally just after the break, but this time, Hall was equal to the task.

Liverpool halved the deficit in the 63rd minute when United failed to deal with a corner, allowing Joe Bradshaw to tap the ball into an empty net.

In the 83rd minute, Gabriel ended the visitors’ hopes of staging a comeback, beating Hall from the penalty spot.

Moments later, he sealed the victory, running through on goal to net his 25th goal of the campaign.

United will aim to keep applying the pressure on City when they travel to Newcastle United on Saturday.

Article written by Henry Thornton .