MANCHESTER UNITED laid down a marker ahead of tomorrow’s crunch Premier League clash against Liverpool as the Red Devils’ U18s thumped their bitter rivals 9-1.
And one of United’s young stars even mimicked Wayne Rooney’s iconic boxing celebration from nine years ago after being PUNCHED in the face in the previous meeting.
Erik ten Hag’s senior Red Devils welcome Jurgen Klopp’s table toppers to Old Trafford on Sunday and will look to put a dent in their title ambitions.
United have plenty of work to do after suffering a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat against Chelsea on Thursday.
But United’s kids showed that victory is possible as they thrashed their Liverpool counterparts in Merseyside on Saturday.
James Scanlon opened the scoring in the first minute for United before Ethan Wheatley’s brace made it 3-0.
READ MORE ON MAN UTD
The hitman had been involved for all the wrong reasons in January’s previous meeting between the sides, which ended 4-3 to United.
He was punched in the face by opponent Luca Furnell-Gill, who managed to escape punishment on the day.
And after netting in Saturday’s match, Wheatley poked fun at the incident by mimicking United legend Rooney’s boxing celebration against Tottenham in 2015.
Wazza famously delivered several upper-cuts to the air before falling flat on his back in a 3-0 win under Louis van Gaal.
Most read in Football
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER
That iconic moment was inspired after Rooney had been KO’d in a kitchen play-fight after a drinking session with Phil Bardsley.
And Wheatley could not resist delivering a similar celebration in an equally passionate manner as United’s kids took full control at Liverpool.
Man Utd’s goalscorers in 9-1 win
All the players who hit the target against Liverpool’s kids
- James Scanlon x2
- Ethan Wheatley x3
- Ethan Williams
- Gabriee Biancheri x2
- Aston Missin
Ethan Williams then scored for United to make it 4-0 before Liverpool pulled one back through Joe Bradshaw.
But United’s youngsters were not about to collapse like the senior side.
Wheatley completed his hat-trick on the hour mark for 5-1, before Scanlon bagged his second of the day.
Sub Gabriele Biancheri made it 7-1 before quickly helping himself to another goal.
And Ashton Missin put the finishing touches on the 9-1 win with a beauty from outside the penalty area.
However, United fans fear Liverpool will look to get their revenge by besting Erik ten Hag’s first team at the Theatre of Dreams tomorrow.
One said: “United’s senior team will pay for this.”
Another declared: “Now the senior team will have to pay for this.”
One noted: “The senior team will pay on Sunday.”
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Another boomed: “The future is bright.”
One added: “They’d wash our first team I’m not even joking.”
Man Utd’s last six meetings with Liverpool
24 Oct 2021 – Man Utd 0-5 Liverpool – The Reds raced into a 4-0 lead by half-time before Mo Salah completed his Old Trafford hat-trick and a frustrated Paul Pogba got sent off for a horror tackle
19 Apr 2022 – Liverpool 4-0 Man Utd – Another comprehensive victory for Jurgen Klopp’s side with goals from Luis Diaz, Mo Salah (two) and Sadio Mane
22 Aug 2022 – Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool – Erik ten Hag’s first Premier League win as United boss came thanks to a superb performance with Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford on target
5 Mar 2023 – Liverpool 7-0 Man Utd – A memorable afternoon for Liverpool fans as Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah all got doubles and Bobby Firmino completed the rout
17 Dec 2023 – Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd – The Reds racked up 34 shots but none of them found the net before Diogo Dalot saw red in bizarre fashion
17 Mar 2024 – Man Utd 4-3 Liverpool – This ding-dong of a thrilling FA Cup quarter-final went to extra-time, where Amad Diallo was the hero in the 121st minute
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
