UEFA Youth League: United v FC Copenhagen

Before kick-off at Leigh Sports Village, a fitting tribute was paid to the late, great Sir Bobby Charlton, following the club legend's passing on Saturday. United captain Dan Gore laid a wreath in the centre circle and a minute's silence was followed by warm applause.

In the opening minutes of the contest, it was Copenhagen who threatened first, with young Reds goalkeeper Tom Wooster required to keep out a pair of early attempts. Emil Hojlund - brother of United forward Rasmus - saw his headed connection with a corner stopped, before Nicolai Bilcher's close-range effort was also gathered.

Other than a powerful Thomas Jorgensen drive wide of the goal shortly before the half-hour mark, the first 45 minutes' other pertinent chances were for the home side. Three first-half opportunities were registered by the dangerous Omari Forson, with his 25-yard strike drawing a diving save from visiting goalkeeper Theo Sander.

Later in the half, Forson was an architect in a move that eventually saw James Scanlon nod narrowly over, while Kobbie Mainoo, making his first appearance since picking up an injury during our senior side's pre-season tour in the USA, was also just off target in the first 45 minutes, with a low shot.

Mainoo was withdrawn for the second half, with Jayce Fitzgerald entering the fray and the substitute very nearly made an instant impact, with a volley inside the opening minute of the second half that needed to be diverted by Sander.

Chances became hard to come by as the encounter ticked towards 60 minutes, but Binnion's side continued to work hard for the opener, with a shooting lane created for James Nolan, who curled over the crossbar from the edge of the box.

Jack Kingdon went close to diverting a free-kick into the net and substitute Shea Lacey saw a curling attempt from the right go wide of the posts.

For all of United's endeavours, it was the visitors who finally broke the deadlock in the 84th minute. Tchicamboud jinked his way into the penalty area from the left with the ball at his feet, and used the defenders in front of him to create an angle to bend his decisive shot into the far bottom corner.

The young Reds rallied in the time remaining, but the opener proved to come too late for a response, with the Danish side taking all three points away from Leigh.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Wooster; Nolan, Kingdon (Musa, 87), Kambwala, Forson; Scanlon (Lacey, 69), Mainoo (Fitzgerald, 46), Gore (c); Missin (Jackson, 75), Wheatley, Williams.

Subs not used: Myles (GK), McAllister, Curley.

Goal - FC Copenhagen: Tchicamboud, 84.