VALENCIA, 2018. DECEMBER 12 – Manchester United FC‘s Under-19s concluded their UEFA Youth League group stage campaign with a remarkable 2-1 comeback victory over Valencia CF in Spain.
The home side struck first through Jordi Escobar, but United responded quickly as Nishan Burkart levelled the score. Just before half-time, Aidan Barlow secured the winner, ensuring a strong finish for Nicky Butt’s side.

Having already qualified as group winners ahead of Juventus FC, United could have taken this match lightly. However, it was clear from the start that the team wasn’t in Spain for a leisurely game. In the third minute, a swift counter-attack saw Barlow deliver a lofted pass to Tahith Chong, who beat two defenders before laying off to Burkart. Valencia’s goalkeeper Emilio Bernard managed to keep the shot out.

Chong had a scare shortly after, being fouled near the edge of the box, but thankfully recovered after medical attention. The ensuing free-kick saw Dion McGhee force another save from Emilio.
Despite United’s dominance, Valencia took the lead in the 13th minute when Jordi coolly finished from close range, much to the delight of a crowd of schoolchildren in attendance.

United continued to apply pressure, with Chong and Barlow both coming close to an equaliser. On the half-hour mark, Guillem Molina’s header required a goal-line clearance from United’s defense, but it wasn’t long before parity was restored. In the 36th minute, Angel Gomes delivered a pinpoint pass to Chong, whose effort was saved but rebounded perfectly for Burkart to fire home off the post.
Just before the break, United seized the lead through a composed finish by Barlow, who found himself one-on-one inside the box.
Valencia came close to levelling the score early in the second half, with Pablo Jiménez‘s shot brilliantly tipped onto the crossbar by United goalkeeper Alex Fojtiček. Despite Valencia’s best efforts, including a flurry of substitutions by manager Miguel Angel Ferrer, they couldn’t break down the Reds’ defense.

Barlow had to be replaced by Mark Helm after sustaining a shoulder injury, but Butt continued to rotate his squad, offering valuable European experience to several younger players. United almost extended their lead late on when a neat exchange between Chong and Largie Ramazani set up Helm for a deflected shot that Emilio barely saved.
United held on to secure an impressive 2-1 victory, capping off their group stage campaign in style.
GOALS:
Jordi Escobar (13’); Nishan Burkart (37’), Aiden Barlow (42′)
VALENCIA CF U-19
1. Emilio Bernard, 2. Pascu, 3. Fran Cortijo, 4. Inaki Pardo, 5. Guillem Molina, 6. Óscar Poveda (12. Sergio Bono 70′), 7. Fran Pérez (14. Xavi Estacio 57′), 8. Vincente Esquerdo, 9. Jordi Escobar (17. Ignacio Muñoz Garre 80′), 10. Carlos Perez (15. Martin Lapeña 57′), 11. Pablo Jiménez (16. Gerard Borja 57′)
Unused Substitutes: 13. Guillermo Tarazona, 18. Nacho Ferrer
MANCHESTER UNITED U-19
13. Alex Fojtiček, 20. Dion McGhee, 33. Reece Devine (34. Oliver Denham 76′), 2. George Tanner (30. Łukasz Bejger 71′), 22. Largie Ramazani, 5. Luca Ercolani (26. Harvey Neville 71′), 3. Lee O’Connor, 18. Nishan Burkart (39. Shola Shoretire 75′), 10. Angel Gomes, 7. Aiden Barlow (37. Mark Helm 66′), 11. Tahith Chong
Unused Substitutes: 31. Jacob Carney, 38. William Fish
STADIUM: Estadio Antonio Puchades