After making the trip to Manchester United’s Cliff Training Ground on Friday night, Derby County’s Under 18s fell to a disappointing 4-0 defeat at the hands of the Red Devils.

Three goals in the first half courtesy of a penalty from Angel Gomes and two separate conversions from Tahith Chong and Josh Bohui saw United enter the half-time break with a comfortable lead.

That came before DJ Buffonge concluded the Red Devils’ goal tally with an on-target strike to mark what was a difficult night for Justin Walker and Rory Delap’s side.

The defeat marked as their second successive, contrasting their three-game unbeaten run which ended at Blackburn Rovers the previous game.

Reflecting on the game, it was a contest which was played in difficult conditions - on a cold winter’s night under the floodlights.

It was the hosts who began proceedings, pressing from the front and displaying early on their dominance with the ball going forward.

After 10 minutes of knocking on the door and producing a hatful of chances, the Red Devils finally made a break through after Bohui was brought down inside the box. It was Gomes who stepped up to the penalty spot, and a competent strike saw him put his side deservedly ahead.

With a goal already to their name, the hosts’ confidence only grew, despite Derby trying to get back into the game, and just before the half-an-hour mark United were 2-0 up after an impressive run and cut-back from Jake Kenyon allowed an unmarked Chong to blast the ball into the back of the net.

Just seven minutes later and the Rams’ defensive line were left with a sense of deja-vu after another Kenyon cross allowed United to extend their lead to three, only this time it was Bohui who rose highest to head the ball into the back of the net.

Following the half-time interval, it seemed that United picked up where they left off – causing the Rams’ defensive line a whole host of problems as they looked to add to their lead.

Piling on the pressure very early on in the final half, the Red Devils produced an array of chances but strong, stubborn defending saw Derby frustrate their opponents as they tried to implement a counter attacking style of play.

However, on 53 minutes it appeared to be all in vein after an initial saved effort by Matt Yates was spilled to DJ Buffonge who needed no second invitation – converting from close range.

From then on, a mature approach to the contest allowed the hosts see out the game, preventing Derby from gain any sort of consolation in what was a night to forget for the Rams.

Manchester United U18s: Moutha-Sebtaoui, Tanner, Kenyon, Warren, O’Connor, Whelan, Chong, Buffonge, Bohui, Gomes, Boonen

Substitutes: Ercolani, Johnstone, Dunne, Barlow, Burkhart

Derby County U18s: Yates, Goode, Mills, Bogle, Rashid, Thomas, Jibodu, Bird, Davidson-Miller, Edwards, Cresswell

Substitutes: Mitchell-Lawson, Fryatt, Davie, Thorne, Wise, Haywood

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