U18s: United 0 Stoke 1

Under-18s boss Paul McGuinness blooded five schoolboys as his Academy Reds went down 1-0 to Stoke City at Carrington on Saturday.

Darren Brunt scored for Stoke after just four minutes with a clever passing move down left. The Potters worked their way into the United penalty box with some neat one-twos, before the ball was cut back to Brunt who finished from close range.

United attemped to immediately hit back, and striker Evandro Brandao was unlucky with a curling effort from edge of box which hit the bar.

But Stoke defended for their lives and the Reds couldn't find a way through, resulting in a second consecutive 1-0 defeat following last week's reverse against Manchester City.

United: Devlin; Strickland, Thorpe (Cole 83), Wootton, Dudgeon; Curran (Hussain 63), Keane, Norwood, Stewart; Ajose, Brandao (Cofie 58).
Subs not used: Gary Woods