2 weeks Ago By Jonny Maze
Travis Binnion’s Manchester United side are into the Premier League 2 play-off quarter-finals thanks to some brilliant performances on Friday night.Leigh Sports Village was host to Manchester United against Everton U21 on Friday night, with an impressive come-from-behind 4-2 victory sealing progression in the competition.Ethan Wheatley was back for Travis Binnion’s side, scoring a brace as he returned from his frustrating loan to Walsall in League Two, where he has played just 16 minutes since the 1st of February.
United’s go-ahead goal came courtesy of Tyler Fletcher, who collected a pass from Sekou Kone perfectly while turning, before leaving the goalkeeper no chance with a brilliant finish.The fourth of the game came from a brilliant Sekou Kone ‘hell of a strike’ for United, which Ben Thornley couldn’t help but wax lyrical over.Following the game, U21s head coach Binnion was in complete praise over another standout performer.
READ: Man Utd under-21s top scorers and assists in 2024/25, all resultsPhoto by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty ImagesTyler Fletcher impresses Travis Binnion for Manchester United’s U21sThere is a special focus on U21 football right now, with Binnion’s team likely under the watchful eye of Ruben Amorim as he intends to ‘risk’ using youth this season with nothing to play for in the league.Speaking on MUTV after the game, Binnion has been complimenting the performances of Fletcher.“Tyler’s making great strides.
We know he’s a really great footballer, everyone knows he is, you don’t have to be a brain surgeon to see he’s a good footballer. “But he’s adding to his game a lot. He’s working hard, he looks fit, he looks robust, and he makes good decisions in general.
He’s got a goal in him, he’s creative, he’s got a really good game understanding, and we’re really, really happy with him. “He’s got through [lots] of games this season now, getting through full games, so he’s only going to get better, so we’re really pleased with him.”READ MORE: Manchester United’s Best Academy Players of All TimeTyler Fletcher’s incredible 2024/25 bodes well for his first team progressionBinnion’s praise for Fletcher tells the full story; he is a very well-rounded talent who has had rapid progression this season, rounding out his game.
Thinking back to August and fans widely held the belief that of the Fletcher twins, it was Jack Fletcher who was the surest thing to make it at United.However, Tyler Fletcher has had an incredible season for the U18s, tallying up two goals and 11 assists, while he has another three goals and two assists in U21 football.READ: Man Utd under-18s top scorers and assists in 2024/25, all resultsFletcher has had a seamless transition into U21 football, which is sure to impress Amorim and leave the head coach keen to get him involved in senior football sooner or later.
This summer, the exit of Christian Eriksen will free up space for Fletcher to step up and he could be ready to have a breakout year for United next season with Amorim’s usage of academy starlets increasing and set to continue..
