Under-21s: Middlesbrough 0 United 1

The only goal of the game arrived through Ethan Ellis, whose thumped effort proved the difference on the night and brought all three points back to Manchester.

Boro started the game the brighter, as a Luke Woolston free-kick found Jack Daley at the far post. The number six, however, saw his downward header claimed by Will Murdock in the United net. The hosts continued their fast start to the fixture, as Brayden Johnson let fly in the area on the 12th minute, only to see his strike go wide of the mark.

Sonny Finch then drove forward for the hosts, with his low ball deflected behind for a corner. The Reds' first real sight of goal came on the 21st minute. Jaydan Kamason’s intelligent ball found the feet of Ennis inside the penalty area. The wide man struck an effort goalward, which was cleared, only for Boro to respond when Rio Patterson-Powell almost opened the scoring on 25 minutes.

The right-back’s powerful effort from 25 yards would have found the bottom left corner of the net had it not been for a brilliant, diving save from Murdock, who did well to get down to parry wide. Murdock was called into further action just a minute later, as the resultant corner posed problems for United. Woolston’s ball in found Daley at the back post, whose header had to be pounced on by the United keeper.

Travis Binnion’s side then enjoyed a spell of good chances as the first half began to wind down. First through Jack Fletcher, who had his well-taken strike brilliantly tipped over the bar by Shea Connor in the Boro net on the 39th minute Ethan Williams caused trouble under a minute later, as his ball forced Connor to frantically reclaim possession, after initially dropping it under pressure.

United’s biggest chance of the half came with just a minute remaining, as Boro captain, George McCormick, was forced to clear Williams’s strong effort off the line.

With the honours even at half-time, United looked to start the second period with a bang, however, it was Boro who again began on the front foot.

Mark Tinkler’s side had a golden opportunity give themselves the lead on the 47th minute after Eric Hamelberg nicked the ball from Bendito Mantato, before playing Jayden Carbon into the area. Carbon, under no real pressure, just did not get the shot right, as his effort was straight at Murdock.

The Reds made the hosts rue that missed opportunity just four minutes later, as Ennis opened the scoring with an audacious effort. The tricky no.7 got onto the end of a loose ball just inside the area, before slamming home into the top-left corner of the net.

Now 1-0 up, United looked to keep control of the game. Williams drove dangerously into the Boro penalty area from the right, before cutting into the area and unleashing an effort on goal. His strike had to be well blocked at stretch by Archie Baptiste.

A lapse in judgement at the back on the 66th minute allowed Finch to get into a one-on-onie with Murdock, who stood tall and produced an excellent save down to his left to deny Boro an equaliser.

Both sides saw some close calls go amiss, as Carbon’s long-range effort was swept up by Murdock, before substitute Chido Obi saw his shot deflected into the hands of Connor at the other end. Murdock continued to be the scourge of the Teessiders' attacking efforts, as he forced another substitute, Frankie Coulson’s effort wide, before yet again getting the better of Finch, as he got down to parry the effort away from danger.

Binnion’s side went close to a second on the 77th minute as Williams got on the end of a brilliant, over-the-top through ball. The winger took the ball in his stride, cut into the area and struck a low shot on goal, which Connor calmly collected. Boro quickly drove up the other end through Carbon, who saw his attempt from the edge of the area deflect up high and just over Murdock’s crossbar.

United saw the game out, despite late pressure from the hosts, a strong performance ensuring we begin the season with three impressive points away from home.

United: Murdock; Kamason, Devaney (c), Armer, Mantato; Fitzgerald (Baumann 69), T. Fletcher, J. Fletcher (Obi 61); Ennis, Biancheri (Scanlon 61), Williams (Overy 90+5).

Subs not used: Byrne-Hughes.

Goal: Ennis 51.

Booked: Binnion 90+5.