Under-21s friendly: Blackpool v United

After Victor Musa equalised 21 minutes from time, the young Reds almost returned from the historic Bloomfield Road ground with a win when Noam Emeran stepped up to take a late penalty after he was fouled by Alex Lankshear.

However, the 88th-minute spot-kick cleared the crossbar, leaving United to settle for a share of the spoils.

The contest kicked off in bright evening sunlight and it was the Seasiders who shone first, going in front through Brad Holmes just before the half-hour mark. The 20-year-old striker fired past Reds goalkeeper Radek Vitek at the second attempt after his initial effort was blocked.

At the other end, Vitek's opposite number Harvey Bardsley prevented Emeran from levelling the score before half-time, keeping out the United forward's long-range effort.

The Reds were forced to make a first-half change of personnel when Charlie Wellens had to leave the field and was replaced by Maxi Oyedele.

Omari Forson was also thwarted by Bardsley as Blackpool defended their 1-0 lead for a further 24 minutes after the break. But the visitors were eventually back on level terms when Musa found the net, shortly after coming on as a substitute. Reds centre-back Teden Mengi had also entered the fray by that point.

It's the second draw in the space of five days for our Under-21s, who signed off in Premier League 2 last Friday afternoon by sharing four goals with Leicester City at Carrington. On that occasion, Emeran was accurate, scoring both of United's goals in a game that ended 2-2.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Vitek; Jurado, Hardley, Kambwala, Murray; Wellens, Collyer; Emeran, Gore, Forson; Wheatley. 

Substitutes: Mee, Mengi, Oyedele, Nolan, Musa.

Goals: Holmes 28 | Musa 70.