Amad and Hugill inspire memorable win at Liverpool

Amad Diallo made a spectacular start to his Manchester United career when he grabbed an early goal and went on to claim another from the penalty spot to put our Under-23s on the road to a thrilling 6-3 victory away at Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.

It was terrific debut for the 18-year-old Ivory Coast-born winger who was transferred from Italian club Atalanta earlier in the season. And it was also a day of celebration for striker Joe Hugill who bagged four goals, including a 15-minute second-half hat-trick.

The first real chance of the game arrived in the fifth minute when a lapse in United’s defence allowed Liverpool’s Ben Woodburn a clear shot at goal but goalkeeper Matej Kovar came to the rescue with a terrific save.

It was an early test for United’s custodian and he had to be alert in the minutes that followed as the home side continued to carry a threat with both Woodburn and Morton going close.

Watch Diallo’s goal for our Under-23sVideo

Liverpool were looking the more dangerous in front of goal, but in the 14th minute a rare United attack proved decisive. And it was new-boy Amad who was celebrating his first goal for the club with a smart finish after robbing the ball from Liverpool defender Billy Koumetio.

Most certainly it was a goal against the flow of the game but it proved to be the boost United needed as we gradually increased the time we were spending in Liverpool’s half of the field. And 10 minutes after Amad had scored the opener, the lead was doubled when a fine move involving Hannibal and Arnau Puigmal set Hugill on his way to shooting past Liverpool goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga.

It was a remarkable transformation in the space of just 10 minutes, but Liverpool were not about to collapse and they proceeded to force their way back with two goals before half-time. It was 2-1 in the 34th minute after Morton pounced after United failed to clear their lines. And they were level two minutes before the break after more poor defending allowed Luis Longstaff to tap home from close range.

This match between these great rivals looked finely balanced, but the second period most definitely belonged to United who ran riot to score four further goals in just 19 minutes.

Hugill completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot, 11 minutes into the half, and grabbed his fourth a few moments later.

Amad book-ended Hugill’s haul with his second of the game – a Panenka penalty – to seal easily the most impressive performance of the campaign for Neil Wood’s lads.

Liverpool’s Joe Hardy pulled one back seven minutes from time, but by then United had already secured maximum points from a hugely entertaining match on Merseyside.

Diallo’s Panenka penaltyVideo

MATCH DETAILS

United: Kovar; Williams (McCann 68), Fish (Neville 46), Devine, Fernandez; Galbraith, Shoretire, Puigmal; Diallo, Hugill (Helm 79), Hannibal.

Subs not used: Mastny, Stanley.

Goals: Liverpool – Morton 34, Longstaff 43, Hardy 83; United – Diallo 14, 74 pen, Hugill 24, 56, 65 pen, 71