Manchester United U19s hosted AS Roma U19s on Tuesday afternoon at Leigh Sports Village in the UEFA Youth League.

Adam Lawrence’s side have mirrored the first team’s results in the competition, opening with a win before suffering two losses, although they put up much more of a fight in those fixtures.

The young Red Devils looked to bring their U18s form into the competition, having made it 10 matches unbeaten for Darren Fletcher’s side after defeating Blackburn Rovers at the weekend.

First half

It was almost a nightmare start for United when Mandjou Camara burst past Albert Mills to the byline and cut the ball across goal for Tommaso Marchetti, who, fortunately for United, had overrun the pass, which saw an easy finish go begging.

United soon found their feet, however, and took control of the match, with the Italian visitors unable to keep up with United in midfield and committing a number of late fouls in quick succession on both Jack and Tyler Fletcher.

The best chance of the opening half hour came from Jacob Watson, whose deflected shot whizzed narrowly past the left post.

United then found the back of the net shortly after when Tyler Fletcher’s free kick delivery bounced into the goal untouched, but the referee disallowed the goal for an unclear reason, with no one in an offside position and minimal contact in the area.

The first half saw some lovely football from United, with quick one-touch passing opening a lane for Jaume Camacho, but the Spaniard’s strike was a tame effort for Levente Kilvinger to collect.

In the 39th minute, United took the lead when Bendito Mantato beat his man on the outside and whipped in a low cross that Tynan Thompson did well to get his body over and keep on target as the ball flew through the hands of the keeper.

Moments later, Thompson was on the receiving end of an aggressive push into his neck, but the referee took no action against Giampaolo Bonifazi, and the score remained 1-0 going into the break.

Second half

Roma came out on the front foot in the second half after sitting back for much of the opening 45 minutes, but United were up to the task defensively.

Camacho almost produced a magical goal when he skipped past two defenders before nutmegging a third, but ultimately overran the ball as the keeper slid out to collect.

United could have put the match to bed when they hit on the break. Amir Ibragimov saw his effort saved before Noah Ajayi lifted the ball over the keeper, but Roma had defenders retreating to the goal line to clear.

A minute later, controversy struck when a powerful cross was bulleted off Watson’s arm, which was tucked into his body, but after a loud claim from Roma, the referee pulled play back for a penalty.

The Australian-born Italian international Antonio Arena dispatched from the spot to make it 1-1, while United manager Lawrence gave the fourth official an earful about the decision.

Late chances came for Thompson and Jack Fletcher, but United were unable to restore their lead and had to settle for a point.

With four points from four matches, United currently sit just inside the qualification places but will require results in their final two matches against Sporting Clube de Portugal and RB Leipzig if they want to ensure survival.

Match facts

United: Hardy; Helafu, Mills, Armer, Watson; J. Fletcher, Camacho (Rooney 85), T. Fletcher; Mantato (Ajayi 72), Ibragimov (c), Thompson (Brown 87).

Unused subs: Ford, McCormack, McEvoy, Orozco, Shah, Eze.

Scorer: Thompson 39.

Featured image by Carl Recine via Getty Images