Gabriel and Rooney shine again for Man U18s as they book cup final place

Nathaniel-Junior Brown and Kai Rooney fired home in extra-time to give Manchester United U18s a 3-1 win over West Ham and book a place in the Premier League Cup final.

Joel Kerr's opener had put the visitors and reigning title-holders ahead at Carrington, before JJ Gabriel's equalised before half-time.

The 1-1 scoreline was the same at the final whistle, meaning an extra 30 minutes was needed, in which goals from Brown and Rooney ensured United's progression.

Darren Fletcher's young Reds will now face Crystal Palace in the final of the competition that United won back in 2024, after they beat Spurs in their own semi-final clash.

It was West Ham who made the brighter start in the Carrington sunshine, and in the 32nd minute, it was West Ham who were the first to find the net, through Kerr.

The midfielder pounced on a loose ball in the middle of the park and drove to the edge of our 18-yard area, shifted the ball onto his left foot and reversed a low effort into the far bottom corner.

It took just 10 minutes for United to respond, though. A punching pass through the lines from captain Armer found left-back Jacob Watson in an advanced area.

The latter showed composure to produce a cutback for Gabriel that was precise enough for him to run onto it without breaking stride, and sidefoot home a first-time finish.

Noah Ajayi continued to try and make something happen with mazy dribbles from United’s left wing, and nearly had his moment just after half-time, but for his strike being blocked at source following an eye-catching weave into the penalty area.

With no further goals in normal time, a additional 30 minutes was added with Rooney introduced from the bench.

He went close when Ajayi threaded a pass through with the outside of his boot that Rooney did well to latch on to and rounded the keeper but went too far wide and couldn't find the net.

Then Brown, on the right flank, faked to shoot before coming inside on his left and brilliantly curling the ball into the far bottom corner.

After a goalline clearance from Armer, United extended a precious one-goal lead just three minutes on from Brown establishing it.

Rooney’s clever one-two with fellow sub James McEvoy had the former bearing down on goal, before he sealed the tie with a calm left-footed finish into the bottom corner.