Under-23s: Everton 0 Manchester United 0

Genuine goalscoring chances were at a premium but it was, nevertheless, an entertaining Premier League 2 contest. It was a rather chilly evening in this well-loved traditional seaside resort in Merseyside, but at least the rain, which had earlier fallen from the sky in torrents, had moved away.

And considering the extremely low temperature, there was a good turn-out of hardy souls inside the Haig Avenue ground as the game commenced.

United keeper Kieran O’Hara needed to be alert from the start because he was called upon twice in opening four minutes to deal with shots from Everton striker Bassala Sambou. The same Everton player was presented with a golden opportunity to give his side the lead shortly afterwards but blasted his shot over the bar from a very good position.       

O’Hara was the busier of the two keepers during the first half, but that isn’t to say that Everton’s Mateusz Hewelt had been inactive. He and his defence had to deal with several threatening raids that brought openings for United, but James Wilson and Charlie Scott were not blessed with luck in front of goal.

Defender Ro-Shaun Williams pulled up with an injury midway through the first half which forced manager Ricky Sbragia to send on tailor-made substitute Tyrell Warren, who scored the goal in the Under-19s' defeat in Basel last week.

Four minutes into the second half and the home side very nearly opened the scoring but Josh Bowler's shot squirmed agonisingly past the post. Ethan Hamilton then fired over at the other end and Demi Mitchell was given the chance to launch a couple of long-range free-kicks into the Toffees’ area – both of which failed to test the Everton backline.  

Clever approach play from skipper Joe Riley and substitute Callum Gribbin provided Hamilton with a chance to try his luck from outside the box, but Hewelt made saved efficiently. Gribbin then supplied the Reds' best attempt of the game when he cut inside to launch a curling shot but Hewelt touched it over the bar.

United had to survive a scare in the closing moments when Everton skipper Morgan Feeney headed inches over the bar from Luke Garbutt’s free-kick and Harry Charsley was unable to provide the finishing touch from a promising move in injury time.

United: O’Hara; Riley, Ercolani, R. Williams (Warren 23), Mitchell; Scott, Sang; Dearnley (Gribbin 63), Hamilton, Kehinde; Wilson. Subs not used: Richardson, Boonen, Bohui.