U23s Remain Undefeated In International Cup After Draw Against United

Derby County Under-23s earned a 1-1 draw against Manchester United in their final group game of the Premier League International Cup.

The young Rams have put themselves in good position to qualify for the quarter-finals having already drawn against Paris Saint-Germain and a 3-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven. However, United still have two group games remaining.

Nishan Burkart put the visitors ahead in the first-half when he backheeled past Henrich Ravas. Louis Sibley then made an immediate impact when he came off the bench in the second-half to find the equaliser.

It was a tight opening half with clear chances coming few and far between for both sides. The visitors did find the lead, however, inside the opening 20 minutes. Angel Gomes made a pacey run and fed to Burkart to backheel past Henrich Ravas.

Moments later down the other end, Jayden Mitchell Lawson cut inside his man before firing just over the crossbar.

United almost doubled the lead after Zac Dearnley made a break down the left flank and squared into the box but the resulting effort was deflected wide.

The Rams continued to battle for an equaliser, controlling large spells of the game but were unable to create in the final third.

Burkart again looked dangerous in the opening minutes of the second half as he worked his way down the left side of the area. Ravas got a hand as he took aim from a tight angle. The Rams ‘stopper then did well to get down on the ball before Burkart could get a second chance.

Derby had a great chance just before the hour mark as they worked theball well in the box. Cameron Cresswell fed out wide to Morgan Whittaker who fired into the side netting.

Two minutes after replacing Joe Ledley, Sibley fired in the equaliser. The young midfielder fought hard down the left channel before floating in an effort that clipped the far post and past Matej Kovar.

Sibley was again in the thick of the action that almost lead to a second goal when he switched to Max Bird outside the area, who’s low drive glanced wide.

Ravas made a save in extra time as Ethan Hamilton's corner was deflected towards goal.

Derby County: Ravas; McDonald, Wassall, Hunt, Karic; Ledley (Sibley, 63), Bird, Butterfield; Mitchell-Lawson, Cresswell, Whittaker (McAllister, 63)

Unused Subs: Brown, Barnes, Knight, Shonibare,

Manchester United: Kovar; O’Connor, Poole, Williams, Tanner; Hamiliton, Gomes, Whelan; Barlow (Bohui, 75), Burkart (Bughail-Mellor,75), Dearnley

Unused Subs: Warren, Woolston, Ercozlani, Buffonge