U21s: United 1 Anderlecht 4

Looking to follow up on our opening win in the competition against Athletic Club, at Old Trafford, it was Belgian opposition next up for Travis Binnion's side.

Despite taking the lead during the first 45 minutes through captain Jacob Devaney, Anderlecht found the net four times in the second half to put the result beyond any doubt.

Enzo Sternal, Terry Van De Ven, Yasin Ozcan and Samuel Ntanda all scored in the second period, on a disappointing evening at the Progress With Unity Stadium.

FIRST HALF

Papealiya N'Dao created the first real chance of the evening after just two minutes gone, shooting just wide to help earn Anderlecht an early corner.

Godwill Kukonki then gifted possession back to the visitors, with Anas Tajaouart's snapshot again proving a stark wake up call for our young Academy side.

Amine Mahroug was the next to go close as Will Murdock was called into action to repel the Belgian side's advances, with the one-way traffic continuing.

United eventually created some momentum as Bendito Mantato found Jack Fletcher in space over on the right. His cross was pushed away from danger by goalkeeper Michiel Haentjens soon after.

Nga Kana linked up nicely with Tajaouart with the pair playing a neat one-two, with the former rushing his effort and shooting wide.

The pick of the action came in the final stages of the first half, with Murdock somehow keeping the game level in obscure fashion.

TVan de Ven's close-range strike was only stopped from finding the net after cannoning back of our goalkeeper's face, before rolling out for a corner.

But Binnion's side left it late and, against the run of play, notched the opener with J.Fletcher receiving a short corner from James Scanlon.

The pair combined, with the cross finding the head of Devaney, who powered home an effort that ensured it was United who went in the happier of the two sides at the break.

SECOND HALF

There was an extra arrogance about our visitors during the second period, with Anderlecht taking just three minutes to level the game up.

Sternal was left with a simple task after Kana's shot from the edge of the box was spilled by Murdock, leaving the 18-year-old free to make it 1-1.

A poor pass from Devaney after 57 minutes left Van de Ven free to run through on goal, and after two bites at the cherry, he dispatched to complete the visitors turnaround.

Ozcan was involved in a sweeping move as the young Pro League side continued their onslaught, with the centre-back linking up with Babtunde Akomolede.

Driving into space, his low shot beat Murdock once more to add further insult to injury, as the deficit grew to 3-1.

Things got even worse when possession was loosely handed back to Anderlecht in midfield, with Ntanda and Nga linking up to allow the latter to make it 4-1 with a sweeping drive.

Jim Thwaites' introduction brought a little revival, as he went close following a well-worked corner routine that almost pulled a goal back for United.

Scanlon drove into the box as he looked to prod his effort past Haentjjens, who in turn stood tall to deny him.

The game was brought to a halt shortly after, with our next fixture in the competition coming against Borussia Dortmund on December 19. Tickets are still available for the Old Trafford clash.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Murdock; Kamason (Armer, 46), Mills, Kukonki, J.Fletcher; Devaney, T.Fletcher; Mantato, Fitzgerald (Thwaites, 56), Scanlon; Biancheri.

Subs not used: Byrne-Hughes, Helafu, Ibragimov, Lusale.

Booked: Kukonki, J.Fletcher.

Goals: Devaney 45.