Derby County’s Under-18s are hoping to get back to their usual, resilient form with victory against league leaders Manchester United away from home this Saturday, kick-off 12pm.
The Rams were on a fantastic unbeaten run before the turn of the year, going 11 consecutive matches without suffering defeat before facing Everton in January – the last loss before that was as far back as September to tomorrow’s opponents Manchester United.
However, unfortunate defeats to Everton and Sunderland last time out in the league and a defeat after extra-time to Norwich in the FA Youth Cup was not the start to the year that Rory Delap and Justin Walker would have hoped for.
The excellent form presented throughout the first half of the season saw brilliant victories over Manchester City and Everton as well as a stunning FA Youth Cup victory over Manchester United at Pride Park on penalties – a game which displayed the strength of character instilled into the team from Delap and Walker.
After a strong season so far, Derby have the second-best defence in the division; a facet which has helped the Rams only suffer three losses and reach 5th place in an incredibly tight top half.
A match at the Aon Training Complex against top-of-the-league Manchester United offers a fantastic opportunity to return to the vast positives and showcase the abilities in Derby’s squad. In fact, victory would bring The Rams to within just four points of United.
After struggling before Christmas with three losses and a draw, Manchester United have won the previous two games 2-1 and 4-2 away at Sunderland and Stoke respectively and will come into the match in high spirits. An exciting clash between two of the country’s best Under-18s teams ensues.
Words by Jools Jordan-Probert