Manchester United celebrate their victory. Image: Daily Mail/Action Images

Manchester United launched a stunning comeback last night to win the Barclays Under 21 Premier League final.

They came from two goals down against Tottenham Hotspur to lift the crown at Old Trafford.

After winning two titles already this season – the initial group phase and elite group – Spurs were favourites for the title and looked well on course to make it a hat-trick when Jonathan Obika’s strength fired the away side in front. Obika made a strong challenge on Ben Amos, prompting complaints from the United goalkeeper who saw the ball fall to Alex Pritchard, who gave it back to Obika to calmly slot home.

Spurs found themselves further ahead when provider turned goalscorer and Pritchard netted the second. Obika intercepted Ryan Tunicliffe’s wayward ball and passed to Pritchard who had the easy task of converting.

Marnick Vermijl pulled one back for United at the start of the second half and Larnell Cole’s strike hit the underside of the bar and went into the net to level up the scores.

It was Cole who would strike again to complete the comeback as he drilled Vermijl’s cross low into the net to complete the comeback and crown Manchester United Barclays Under 21 Premier League champions.

Cole told the Daily Mail: “I’m over the moon. You can’t ask for more. The whole team has done well over the season so I’m happy. We’ve had different teams at different stages but we’ve won it two years in a row.

‘It was always going to be tough. They’re a good side and can really play but we had to get into them and we got forward and got the goals.”

United coach Warren Joyce told the daily newspaper: “The first-half the two goals we conceded were individual errors really. It’s probably the third team we’ve put together this season but the bulk of that side won the Youth Cup and won everything last season, won the senior Cup this year and they’ve shown a lot of character, that they can take criticism and come back and dig themselves out of holes and that’s what you need as a United player”

Spurs coach Grant Hall told their official website: “To lose like that, it’s tough.

“We played the way we normally play in the first half, we passed the ball, scored twice and could have been three or four up.

“In the second half we dropped off too much, gave them too much time and once they scored the first goal, their tails were up and we were under the cosh.

“I’m sure everyone will take something out of the experience. To lose like that, it’s so disappointing but hopefully we’ll bounce back next season, go one step further and win it.”

Holtby formerly played for Bundesliga side Schalke.

Germany coach Ranier Adrion has selected his provisional 25-man squad to choose from for the European Under 21 Championship in Israel next month.

Among the names chosen is Spurs midfielder Lewis Holtby, who will captain the Germans in the tournament.

Despite being 22-years-old, he falls into selection for the tournament after being in the same category as Kevin Strootman is for Holland – the fact he was born after 1st January 1990.

Holtby will surely hope his experience can fire the German’s far in the tournament as he draws on his three senior caps and 21 appearances at Under 21 level already, in which he has grabbed 13 goals – impressive for a midfield man.

The former Schalke man joined Spurs this January for around 1.75 million euros. He initially signed a deal to join Spurs in the summer for free, which would have allowed him to see out his contract at the Bundesliga giants.

Other names in Adrion’s squad include Bayern Munich midfielder Emre Can, who made four appearances for the Champions League finalists this year, and Sead Kolasinac of Schalke, who played in both legs of their European Cup last-16 tie against Galatasaray.

Adrion will trim his squad by 2 players on 27th May, with Jan Kirchhoff and Tolgay Arslan likely to both miss out with injuries to the groin and knee respectively.

Full Germany squad (from uefa.com)

Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (SC Freiburg), Bernd Leno (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Timo Horn (1. FC Köln).

Defenders: Tony Jantschke (VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach), Sebastian Jung (Eintracht Frankfurt), Jan Kirchhoff (1. FSV Mainz 05), Sead Kolasinac (FC Schalke 04), Matthias Ginter (SC Freiburg), Oliver Sorg (SC Freiburg), Stefan Thesker (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim), Lasse Sobiech (SpVgg Greuther Fürth), Shkodran Mustafi (UC Sampdoria).

Midfielders: Tolgay Arslan (Hamburger SV), Christian Clemens (1. FC Köln), Patrick Funk (FC St Pauli), Patrick Herrmann (VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach), Lewis Holtby (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Christoph Moritz (FC Schalke 04), Sebastian Rode (Eintracht Frankfurt), Sebastian Rudy (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim), Emre Can (FC Bayern München).

Forwards: Pierre-Michel Lasogga (Hertha BSC Berlin), Peniel Mlapa (VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach), Sebastian Polter (1. FC Nürnberg), Kevin Volland (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim)

Despite being 23-years-old, Kevin Strootman lines up for Netherlands.

Holland have named 11 players with senior caps in their squad for next month’s European Under 21 Championship.

Among the names in Cor Pot’s 23-man squad is Adam Maher and Kevin Strootman, two names that are now common language throughout Europe.

19-year-old Maher has appeared four times for the senior side and was called up to the provisional 36-man squad for last year’s senior European Championship. The AZ Alkmaar midfielder is now a key player for his side and produced consistently high quality performances as he helped his side win this season’s KNVB Cup.

Strootman is one of the most prolifically-capped senior players that will travel to Israel this summer and could be the defining object to be the difference between Holland winning or losing the Championship this summer. Despite being 23-years-old, competition regulation states that players must be born on or after 1st January 1990, of which Strootman fits into the category of being born on 13th February that year.

PSV Eindhoven defender Jetro Willems did not make the cut, supposedly for his already-established involvement with the senior side.

Tonny Trinidade de Vilhena is another notable name of inclusion. The Feyenoord midfielder was part of the squad that won the European Under 17 Championship last year and has made stunning progress since.

Pot told Uefa.com: “To say that we are expected to become European champions is overstating it a bit. We are certainly candidates, but nations like Spain, England, Italy and Germany also have strong squads. We certainly must not underestimate them. We will have to battle hard for it in Israel. The players will gain huge benefits from the tournament experience they will have.”

Full squad: (from uefa.com)

Goalkeepers: Marco Bizot (FC Groningen), Nick Marsman (Go Ahead Eagles*), Jeroen Zoet (RKC Waalwijk**).

Defenders: Patrick van Aanholt (Vitesse***), Daley Blind (AFC Ajax), Mike van der Hoorn (FC Utrecht), Kelvin Leerdam (Feyenoord), Bruno Martins Indi (Feyenoord), Bram Nuytinck (RSC Anderlecht), Ricardo van Rhijn (AFC Ajax), Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord).

Midfielders: Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Leroy Fer (FC Twente), Marco van Ginkel (Vitesse), Adam Maher (AZ Alkmaar), Kevin Strootman (PSV Eindhoven), Tonny Trindade de Vilhena (Feyenoord).

Forwards: Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven), Ola John (Benfica), Luuk de Jong (VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach), Florian Jozefzoon (RKC Waalwijk), Jürgen Locadia (PSV Eindhoven), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV Eindhoven).

*On loan from FC Twente
**On loan from PSV Eindhoven
***On loan from Chelsea FC

Adnan Januzaj is a lethal set-piece specialist.

Adnan Januzaj starts on the bench today for Manchester United in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final game and what has been a revolutionary season for the 18-year-old.

Januzaj signed for United in July 2011 when he moved from Anderlecht in Belgium and despite having an injury-scuppered start to life in north England, he has adapted well and was voted Manchester United’s Under 21 Player of the Year this season.

He is a ‘floating midfielder’ who is equally comfortable through the centre or on either wing. His positional play has been likened to Shinji Kagawa of late. He also has a superb set piece and is no stranger to netting free-kicks from difficult angles.

Adnan Januzaj interview (taken from Manchester United’s official matchday programme, United Review)

Have you been pleased with your impact at Under-21 level?
Yes. I always try to do my best in every game and try to get in the team. Hopefully, I can try to get in the first team in the future as well.

You had a taste of the action in the pre-season friendly at Aberdeen. How did you enjoy it?
It was a good experience. I really liked it and I hope it won’t be the last time that I play with the first team. I will keep working hard to try and get into the first team. I hope to have a big career at Manchester United.

Did you find it a step up at that level, as you managed to impress?
I think I did well. I always try to work hard for the team and not only for myself. I was really pleased to be with the first team. It was a good feeling and means you have more confidence and can play better.

Was it difficult to leave Anderlecht as they said you were earmarked for the first team there?
It was tough but, when you are coming to Manchester United, it is one of the biggest clubs in the world so you come here with the ambition to try and get in the first team of Manchester United. It’s a much bigger thing.

Is it a brave thing to do at such a young age?
It’s a big decision but you know you always have to keep working. Even if you make a big step, the work carries on until it pays off and you will do something in your career. I have to keep working and do my best.

What have you learned since moving to United?
I have learned a lot of things. When I came here with the Under-18s with Paul McGuinness and the Reserves with Warren Joyce, I have learned loads of things in England with those coaches. Clearly, they are really good coaches and I always try to listen to what they say and do my best to follow their advice. I get to work on what they tell me.

You often play in a floating role – is that your favourite position?
I always try to do my best in each position really. I still keep working hard wherever I play. Even if I need to be in defence, I am still doing my best.

But you’re a creative player so is it important you get on the ball as much as you can?
I really like to play with the ball at my feet. It is more my type of play than defending. I take the set-pieces as well and always try to deliver the best ball I can and do something for the team to help my team-mates.

How rewarding was it to hear Sir Alex talk about your potential?
Of course, it was great. He is a big coach, the boss, and it’s a good feeling. I always want to do better and better but it felt good and was a really big step for me. I hope to achieve something at Manchester United.

No matter how cold it is, Sir Alex is often at the matches.
I love this. He is a big coach, you can’t say anything more about him as he is one of the best in the world, but I don’t think other team’s managers come to watch the Under-18s and the Reserves. But it’s really professional here and I really like it at United. I feel good here.

Warren Joyce also said you really want to be a footballer. It sounds simple but is this a vital trait?
Ever since I was five, I’ve loved to play football and always had the ball at my feet. I am just trying to make a career in it because I really love football and I hope to keep going and do something for the future.

So, finally, what are your ambitions?
I came here to do something and focus on my football. I may be in the Under-21s but it’s good to try and get in the first team even when you’re 18 as well. I would love to go on tour with the first team but we’ll see. I have just got to keep going.

Have a look at Januzaj in action with this video…

it was a closely contested tie in Zilina. Image: Sportsfile

Russia have beaten Italy on penalties to win the 2013 European U17 Championship.

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw in their group game previously in the tournament and could not be separated tonight either.

It finished 0-0 tonight in Zilina, Slovakia.

Anton Mitryushkin was the penalty shootout hero as he saved from Davide Di Molfetta, Giacomo Sciacca and Andrea Palazzi.

Sergei Makarov scored the decisive penalty to give the Russians their first title since 2006 – their only previous appearance in the tournament.

The eventual shootout result didn’t favour the mood of the game as Italy had the better of the chances. Elio Capradossi almost netted his third of the tournament from defence as he headed a corner over the crossbar and Alberto Cerri was denied by Mitryushkin.

Aleksei Gasilin had the Russians best chance against the Azzurrini but couldn’t force a goal before the tie eventually went to penalties.

Sanogo has netted eight times in seven games for Auxerre this year.

It appears that Arsenal have won the race to sign 20-year-old Auxerre striker Yaya Sanogo.

They have fended off competition from the likes of Lille for the French Under 21 star who has netted eight times in seven games this season, his playing time limited through injury.

Arsenal will sign the youngster for free now he is out of contract with Auxerre. The official Arsenal Twitter feed earlier reported the deal was in ‘advanced stages but it is not done’.

The contract is reportedly a four-year deal with Sanogo being utilised as a back up striker next season.

The striker has a very tall build but a very lanky frame and has not bulked out yet. However, on a free transfer he could be a bargain purchase for Wenger.

But will his signing further frustrate Arsenal fans as they plead Wenger for a player that will allow them to challenge for the title once again? Sanogo is hardly of the calibre that will force the likes of Lukas Podolski or Oliver Giroud out of the team.

Peter Taylor has selected the likes of Sam Byram to potentially make their debuts.

England U20 manager Peter Taylor has named a provisional 35-man contingent of which he will choose 21 players to take to the FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey.

The large majority of the squad have previous experience at this level but Taylor could hand debuts to Sam Byram, Gael Bigirimana, Donervorn Daniels and Alex Pritchard.

Captain Conor Coady is included along with seven other players who won the European U17 Championship in 2010.

Taylor told the FA’s official website: “There’s players on there like Ross Barkley of Everton, who has played for the first team this year, John Lundstram, who is also at Everton but has been out on loan at Doncaster this year and James Ward-Prowse at Southampton.

“Nathan Redmond of Birmingham has had an outstanding season and is a clever winger. He can play as a number 10, as they call it, also.

“Sam Byram, everyone thinks he’s going to go to the Premier League. I did speak to Brian McDermott and he’s desperate to keep him. He’s really happy with him.

“And there are players like [Adam] Reach and [Luke] Williams of Middlesbrough, who have had decent seasons in the Championship.

“So there are players there who have a lot of experience playing with Premier League teams.

“I am convinced they will have a great experience from this tournament.”

Full squad (taken from thefa.com)

Goalkeepers
Jamal Blackman (Chelsea), Sam Johnstone (Manchester United), George Long (Sheffield United), Connor Ripley (Middlesbrough)

Defenders
Jake Bidwell (Everton), Sam Byram (Leeds United), Donervorn Daniels (West Bromwich Albion), Eric Dier (Sporting Lisbon), Jon Flanagan (Liverpool), Luke Garbutt (Everton), Michael Keane (Manchester United), Jamaal Lascelles (Nottingham Forest), Liam Moore (Leicester City), Daniel Potts (West Ham United), Adam Reach (Middlesbrough), Jack Robinson (Liverpool), John Stones (Everton), Tom Thorpe (Manchester United)

Midfielders
Ross Barkley (Everton), Gael Bigirimana (Newcastle United), Jake Caskey (Brighton & Hove Albion), Conor Coady (Liverpool), Larnell Cole (Manchester United), John Lundstram (Everton), Alex Pritchard (Tottenham Hotspur), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)

Forwards
Patrick Bamford (Chelsea), Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion), Adam Campbell (Newcastle United), Max Clayton (Crewe Alexandra), Rob Hall (West Ham United), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Chris Long (Everton), Nathan Redmond (Birmingham City), Luke Williams (Middlesbrough)

Mexico won last year’s tournament.

The draw for this year’s Toulon Tournament – beginning May 28th in France – has been made.

Group A sees Nigeria, Germany, Belgium, Portugal and defending champions Mexico pitted against each other while Group B sees host nation France play USA, Colombia, Congo and South Korea.

France and Mexico are the only remaining teams from last year’s tournament which saw the central Americans triumph against Turkey in the final. The French contingent finished fourth after losing a third place play off match against Holland.

This year’s tournament concludes on June 8th and is used as a warm up to the FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey, of which most sides are participating.

Mario Pugliese could be on course to win player of the tournament after banging in the goals so far.

Italy will meet Russia in the final of the 2013 European Under 17 Championship tomorrow in Slovakia.

The showpiece match comes after the Italians knocked out the host nation on their way to an unbeaten finals campaign and Russia won on penalties in their semi-final game against Sweden to share the unbeaten honour – only one team will remain unbeaten come Friday night.

The match is a repeat of the earlier Group B game where the two sides fought out a 1-1 draw in Nitra.

On that night both sides only needed a point to qualify for their respective semi-finals ties and found it through goals from Aleksei Gasilin and Elio Capradossi. It was a game of mixed attacking and defensive play as Russia began all guns blazing. Once Italy found their second half equaliser, the Azzurini enjoyed the majority of possession and chances but as the game entered its closing stages, with both sides safely qualified, caution became the game plan for each team and the match was to fizzle out, always destined for a point a piece.

Russia are relatively lucky to have scraped through to this stage of the competition after Sweden enjoyed most of the chances in their goalless semi final clash. Ramil Sheydaev’s winning penalty eventually sparked feelings of euphoric relief for Dmitri Khomukha’s men.

Italy seemed to breeze through their semi-final fight with the host nation. Mario Pugliese gave them an early opener and Capradossi – netting his second goal of the tournament from defence – scored the other. Pugliese, if granted a starting place in the final, could score and become the tournament’s top goalscorer. He has already grabbed three so far and been arguably the player of the tournament.

As mentioned in previous articles and tweets, it has been an entertaining tournament and a fresh breath of air for youth football across the continent. Usually dominated by Spain, Germany and Holland, this tournament has seen countries like Croatia, Sweden and the Slovakians a chance to shine and see what their youth contingents can achieve.

Italy and Russia were always the two top dogs in this competition and it is no shock to see them in the final. Does it reflect their future football progression though? Only time will tell.

Larnell Cole scored all three goals in Man United’s win.

A Larnell Cole hat-trick fired Manchester United into the Barclays Under 21 Premier League final after they thrashed Liverpool 3-0 last night.

His triple included two penalties and a second half thumper to set United up with a final tie against Tottenham Hotspur on Monday.

Tom Lawrence was fouled by Stephen Sama for the first opening of the game which resulted in the opportunity for United to take the lead through Cole from the spot.

Jon Flanagan conceded the next penalty as Lawrence was fouled again. As before, Cole stepped up to net past Daniel Ward.

Adnan Januzaj’s corner fell to Cole on the edge of the box for him to fire in a third just after the break and secure the victory.

Take a look at Cole’s third goal in the video below