I saw what Jason Wilcox did as Manchester United beaten by Man City

I saw what Jason Wilcox did as Manchester United beaten by Man City

Manchester United lost at Manchester City in the Premier League 2 play-offs, bringing their under-21 season to an end.

Jason Wilcox left Manchester City's academy and is now at Manchester United.

Jason Wilcox knows all about the City Football Academy, having seen it grow from a £200m idea to a fully-functioning transfer machine.

Wilcox had overseen City's growth and ability to sell academy products for millions in profit before leaving two years ago for Southampton to take a role as Sporting Director. That job lasted a year before he was headhunted by Manchester United, but he remains a respected figure at City for his work in implementing many of the systems that the first team are currently benefitting from.

His replacement, Thomas Krucken, was at the Academy Stadium as City look to add the Premier League 2 play-offs to their league winners trophy. An under-21 derby at the semi-final stage added more spice to a contest that would end one season and keep alive another.

Wilcox and Darren Fletcher took their seats, Fletcher watching both of his sons face the club they represented when Wilcox was employed by City rather than United. New City Sporting Director Hugo Viana was also watching as he takes a keen interest in the academy like predecessor Txiki Begiristain.

Ethan Wheatley went closest for United in a tight game, heading over and seeing two good openings blocked. However, a late rally from City meant that it was the hosts who progress to the PL2 final and United's season ends where they would prefer it didn't.

Wilcox didn't see the goal that finished it, Divin Mubama backheeling over the line after being temporarily stopped when through on goal. The current United Sporting Director had seen enough at 1-0, heading down the steps and back into the hospitality areas with five minutes remaining, moments before Mubama's clincher.

Fletcher consoled his sons at full-time while Viana was later seen chatting with one of Ruben Amorim's assistants, Adelio Candido, outside the stadium at full-time. Viana and Amorim worked together at Sporting before they both moved to their new jobs in Manchester.

United's season ends at under-21 level with the defeat at City while the Blues host Crystal Palace or Southampton in next week's final.

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