Man United U18s win Premier League national final to cap off stunning season

Manchester United capped off a stunning season for their academy by winning the U18 Premier League national final.

Completing a treble of trophies - Premier League North, Premier League Cup and the national title - Adam Lawrence’s side had Ethan Wheatley and Ethan Williams to thank after their goals sealed a 2-1 win.

Wheatley and Harry Amass have been mainstays with the first team squad in recent weeks and it was agreed with Erik ten Hag that they would be involved here, even with both set to be in the first team squad against Newcastle on Wednesday night.

United started with purpose, led by the impressive captaincy of Finley McAllister, and almost went ahead in the early stages when Wheatley drilled a low drive against the post.

The front man, who recently became the 250th academy graduate to win a first team debut, was the stand-out player and deservedly got his goal 22 minutes in.

Jack Kingdon read a counter-attack from Chelsea by sliding in to win the ball back, allowing it to break to Williams.

He took it in stride and fed in Wheatley, who gave goalkeeper Max Merrick the eyes before slotting into the bottom corner. Cole Palmer’s celebration was Wheatley’s choice to mark it.

United were unable to build on it going in to the break and were punished two minutes into the second half when Amass was caught under the ball from a left-wing cross, allowing Josh Acheampong to head in at the back post.

Lawrence’s side looked shaken by that goal but soon rediscovered their composure and were back in front after 54 minutes when Williams converted from close range after Jack Fletcher’s initial shot was parried into harm’s way by Merrick. It was Williams’ 19th goal of the season.

Chelsea rallied and United had goalkeeper Elyh Harrison to