McSweeney: It’s About Levels

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McSweeney: It’s About Levels

Leon McSweeney urges City's Under-21s to learn from the recent defeat to Manchester United, with a top-16 finish still firmly on the cards this season.

2026-03-04T09:00+00:00

by Matthew Temple

Published

04 Mar, 2026

McSweeney: It’s About Levels

Leon McSweeney urges City's Under-21s to learn from the recent defeat to Manchester United, with a top-16 finish still firmly on the cards this season.

Matthew Temple

2026-03-04T09:00+00:00

McSweeney: It’s About Levels

Leon McSweeney urges City's Under-21s to learn from the recent defeat to Manchester United, with a top-16 finish still firmly on the cards this season.

Matthew Temple

2026-03-04T09:00+00:00

McSweeney: It’s About Levels

Leon McSweeney urges City's Under-21s to learn from the recent defeat to Manchester United, with a top-16 finish still firmly on the cards this season.

Matthew Temple

2026-03-04T09:00+00:00

McSweeney: It’s About Levels

Leon McSweeney urges City's Under-21s to learn from the recent defeat to Manchester United, with a top-16 finish still firmly on the cards this season.

Matthew Temple

2026-03-04T09:00+00:00

Leicester City's Under-21s were beaten 4-1 by Manchester United last time out
Chido Obi scored all four for the visitors in Seagrave
Leon McSweeney reacted to the home defeat
He also looked ahead at the final four games of the regular PL2 season

Last tasting victory at the start of February, the young Foxes endured a tough evening in Seagrave, coming out on the wrong end of a 4–1 result against third-placed Manchester United.

Reflecting on the loss, McSweeney believes the final score was not a true reflection of the performance, but admitted the dismissal of Reiss Khela in the 75th minute changed the dynamic of the game.

“The 4–1 scoreline was harsh and didn’t reflect the game,” the coach stated. “I think the sending off changed the game and, from our point of view, the goals we conceded were disappointing.

City's Under-21s were beaten by Man Utd last time out in PL2.

“One from a set-piece and one avoidable before half-time. They didn’t have to work too hard for the goals, which was disappointing upon reflection and something we have fed back to the players.

“We played really well, hit the post early on in the game and crafted a really good goal. We played how we wanted to and controlled it in periods.

“Our main takeaway is that when you’re up against top-quality opposition, you’ve got to do the nuts and bolts of your defensive positioning and meet the requirements, and unfortunately at times we didn’t quite do that and we got punished.

“I was proud of the intensity and energy in the game at times, but in those moments against top opposition, you need those levels ramped up and at times we were found wanting.

“If the game had stayed 11 vs. 11, then I think we were worthy of a draw; we had big chances at the end of the game, and their third and fourth goals came when we were chasing the game. I don’t want to get into the details of that because the team did what we asked of them, working hard late on in the game.”

Chido Obi scored all four goals for the Red Devils, and the coach was full of praise for the opposition forward, whom he used as an example to encourage the Foxes in the final four games of the season.

Four games remain in the regular season for our young Foxes, who currently sit 11th in PL2.

Newcastle are up next in Seagrave, and with five points separating us in 11th from Stoke City in 17th, three points would make a statement in our push for the second knockout stage of the campaign.

McSweeney added: “A great example is that their striker was relatively quiet throughout the game but then, in those key moments, came up with the goals through his technical brilliance and positioning.

“These are the comparisons and why we play the game, so that we know what level we want to get to. The challenge for our boys is to beat their direct opponent and, if you have the hunger to do that, then you won’t be far off having a career in the game and progressing towards the First Team.

“Performances have been quite consistent this season and we’ve had a lot of uncertainty in terms of how we can prepare and the players available to us.

“We’ve adjusted well, and the level of our performances has, more often than not, been positive. I think results come as a byproduct of that consistency.

“If we continue on that trajectory, then I have no doubt we’ll secure a spot in the top-16 and look forward to an exciting play-off, and hopefully go one better than last season.”

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