If Travis Binnion closed his eyes and pictured the perfect goal for his Under-21 side, it might look something like Ethan Ennis' opening goal against Altrincham on Tuesday night. It was a proper Manchester United goal: ruthless counter-attacking and quality. Jack Moorhouse picked up the ball in his own half, shrugged off two Altrincham players who were desperate to foul him, drove forward with purpose and picked out Ennis who was waiting on the left.
Moorhouse did exceptionally well to keep the ball, never mind pick the right pass, and Ennis composed himself before brilliantly placing a lofted shot in the top right corner. Binnion looked delighted and Altrincham's in-house radio commentator couldn't help but praise Moorhouse and Ennis, who combined in deadly fashion to give United the lead. ALSO READ: United receive huge Kobbie Mainoo injury boost ALSO READ: Amorim must disrupt partnership that Van Nistelrooy created Ennis wasn't done there, though.
The confidence was flowing through his veins and he popped up exactly 10 minutes later to double the advantage with a similar finish into the top right. It was Harry Amass who did the leg work on that occasion. The youngster found himself in unfamiliar territory down the right flank and played a low, driven cross into the box.
It deflected out and Amir Ibragimov tried his luck but Ennis was the one in clover when he picked the ball up. Sometimes your 'luck is in' and the ball fortuitously fell to Ennis but there was nothing fluky .