Football Club Buzz

15/06/2011 20:34, Report by Adam Bostock

Young United defenders Phil Jones and Chris Smalling helped England Under-21s to shut out Ukraine on Wednesday night – but their team will have to fare better on Sunday if they’re to stay in the European Championships.

Reds striker Danny Welbeck also played the full 90 minutes and missed a one-on-one chance during the 0-0 draw at the Herning Stadium in Denmark. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s best opportunity came when a rare Jones error allowed Roman Zozulya to shoot and England goalkeeper Frank Fielding had to bale out his centre-back with a fine block.

Another blip for Jones followed in injury time, when he was booked for bringing down Volodymyr Chesnakov, but the new United defender otherwise had a solid game alongside Smalling. A fourth Reds youngster, midfielder Tom Cleverley, was an unused substitute.

Earlier in the evening, Spain goalkeeper David de Gea – a confirmed transfer target for the Reds – kept a clean sheet as his side beat Czech Republic 2-0 with a goal in each half from Deportivo striker Adrian. It was the Czechs’ first defeat in eleven games and now England will have to beat them as well, on Sunday, to reach the semi-finals.

Jones said after the Ukraine match: “We’ve got to go and win the last game and we’ll give it everything to do that. We’re working hard and we’ll try to put things right.” On his partnership with Smalling, he added: “It’s working really well, I like playing with him. I read what he does and he reads what I do so it’s working well.”

More – Jones relishes United move | Scouting report: Alcantara | Welbeck rescues England

Source : ManUtd News

Related posts:

1. Reds trio in England Under-21 squad 23/05/2011 16:00, Report by Adam Marshall United trio Chris Smalling, Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck have all been named in the England Under-21 squad...
2. All eyes on David De Gea 09/06/2011 10:37, Report by Nick Coppack There are plenty of reasons why United fans should tune in to watch England’s Under-21 side in action...
3. Welbeck rides to England’s rescue 12/06/2011 20:53, Report by Adam Bostock United striker Danny Welbeck salvaged an unlikely point for England's Under-21s on Sunday night against a predictably impressive...
4. United seal Jones deal 13/06/2011 15:00, Report by Adam Bostock Phil Jones will become United's first signing of summer 2011 after the Reds successfully negotiated a transfer with Blackburn Rovers....
5. International Reds 21/03/2011 12:23, Report by Adam Marshall A number of United players are away on international duty this week as the Reds take a break...