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Man United U18s Hit Birmingham for Six to Complete Perfect Group, Draw West Brom Next

The win doubled as an academy marker with Charlie Hardy’s clean-sheet debut and Kai Rooney scoring on his return from injury.

Overview

  • Manchester United finished Group G with nine points from three matches to reach the U18 Premier League Cup quarter-finals.
  • Goals came from Jacob Watson (17'), JJ Gabriel (43'), Rafe McCormack (80'), Jay McEvoy (83'), James Bailey (87') and Kai Rooney (90').
  • Newly registered goalkeeper Charlie Hardy debuted and kept a clean sheet, making key stops including a fingertip save to deny a wind-assisted effort.
  • Jaume Camacho and defender Emsden-James also made first appearances as Darren Fletcher integrated younger players into the side.
  • United will face West Brom in the last eight at West Bromwich Academy on 10 February 2026 at 13:00 GMT, with the tie set to be shown live on MUTV; the match had been rescheduled after a November postponement due to illness in the Birmingham camp.