Manchester United kept their dreams of winning the FA Youth Cup alive after defeating Everton 4-1 at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
Travis Binnion's side will host Leicester at home in the quarter-finals after the club took one step closer towards an historic 11th victory in the prestigious youth competition thanks to goals from Charlie McNeill, Kobbie Mainoo, Sam Mather and Alejandro Garnacho.
Ralf Rangnick made clear his intentions of watching the match earlier in the week, having originally planned to come and watch the young Reds beat Scunthorpe at Old Trafford two rounds earlier, but a COVID outbreak at the club ended any hopes of that.
It was certainly worth the wait, though, as United produced an impressive attacking performance to come from behind and beat the Merseysiders at U18 level for the second time in just 19 days, having also beaten them 4-2 in the league last month.
Paul Tait's side took the lead when striker Francis Okoronkwo fired low into the bottom corner from a tight angle, but they'd only hold onto that lead for two minutes.
The impressive Alejandro Garnacho was brought down in the box by an Everton player and star striker McNeill delivered the punishment with an emphatic penalty which sent 'keeper Patrick Nash the wrong way.
Everton then enjoyed a dominant spell in the match, which saw Issac Price rattle the bar with a dipping volley and Martin Sherif drag an effort wide of the goal, though they'd soon pay for those wasted opportunities.
Just before the half-hour mark, United took the lead when Mainoo headed in from a fine cross by Marc Jurado, sparking jubilation from the 4,000 home fans inside Old Trafford.
Four of those in attendance had played for United in the FA Youth Cup themselves in recent memory, with Zidane Iqbal, Charlie Savage, Shola Shoretire and Will Fish watching the latest batch of youngsters, a quartet of hopefuls who have all represented the United first-team in the past year.
They act as clear evidence that if you shine at youth level you have a pathway to the first team, something which Rangnick has been eager to emphasise since he arrived at the club last year.
Everton rallied for a way back into the match after the half-time whistle but saw their hopes diminished when Mather slammed in a third for United following an almighty goalmouth scramble.
As with so many recent age groups it is the attacking players who catch the eye for United at U18 level and right now none shine quite as bright as Garnacho.
The former Atletico hopeful was integral to United's attacking output throughout the match and almost made it four when he dribbled down the left and smashed an effort off the post.
With fifteen minutes left United should have got another as well. Garnacho again dazzled with a direct run from midfield and played through McNeill, only for the forward to be thwarted by Nash in a one-on-one.
A quarter-of-an-hour later, Garnacho would get the goal his performance thoroughly deserved.
The 17-year-old picked the ball up in his own half and left his defender for dead before racing into the Everton box and calmly slotting the ball beyond the 'keeper.
A sensational goal deserved a sensational celebration, Garnacho duly obliged by ripping his shirt off and copying Cristiano Ronaldo's iconic 'Siuu!' celebration before being mobbed by his stunned teammates.
United have not won the FA Youth Cup since Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard led them to victory back in 2011, with their most recent success a run to the semi-finals two years ago.
Club figures will insist that adding to that trophy cabinet is not the defining factor, but a by-product of a successful youth system, though a possible success this season remains very much alive.
To come from behind and win in front of a healthy Old Trafford crowd certainly gives them reason to dream.
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