Man U18s lack cutting edge with new look forward line in 1-0 defeat to City

Manchester United U18s went down 1-0 to rivals Manchester City in their first match of the campaign as they were made to pay for a lack of a cutting edge.

They were not able to make amends for the defeat in the FA Youth Cup final last season with a narrow loss at Carrington.

Teddie Lamb scored the only goal 20 minutes into the second half, finishing at the near post after City worked the ball into the area.

United created the better opportunities for long periods but were unable to find a way past City goalkeeper Ben Vickery, who made several important saves, including two late in the game.

Darren Fletcher named three players from United's new first-year intake in his starting XI, with Emmanuel Ziro, Jaume Camacho-Sidos and Camron Mpofu selected in the forward positions.

United pressed high from the opening stages, with Jariyah Shah and Camacho-Sidos playing ahead of Jay McEvoy in midfield.

City had the first chance when Archie Thornton's half-volley was saved by Charlie Hardy, while McEvoy saw an effort blocked at the other end.

United then came close through Camacho-Sidos, who was denied from close range after meeting Ziro's cross.

Hardy produced another excellent save midway through the half, tipping Finlay Gorman's powerful free-kick over the bar.

United finished the first half strongly. Junior Brown tested Vickery with a curling effort, while Mpofu had the ball in the net after being played through, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

The Reds continued where they left off after the interval.

Within the first minute, Vickery saved from Camacho-Sidos before Ziro curled just over after a move involving Brown and Mpofu.

Brown then went close again, shooting narrowly wide, while Vickery was forced into another save after Mpofu got the final touch on Yuel Helafu's deflected effort.

Helafu was also prominent from right-back, creating an opening with a pass through the City midfield before making a forward run that was eventually stopped inside the area.

City threatened from set-pieces, with Thornton heading into the side-netting before Jayden Ngwashi made an important clearance from another header.

The visitors eventually took the lead in the 65th minute. City captain Jacob Wain delivered a low cross from the right and Lamb got ahead of the United defence to finish at the near post.

Fletcher responded by making changes, with Edson De Jonge-Seiros replacing Ziro and Brown switching flanks.

City had opportunities to extend their advantage, but Hardy saved from Gorman and Lamb later had another effort ruled out for offside.

United pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages after further substitutions.

Louie Bradbury saw a close-range effort blocked before Harlem McLaughlin tried his luck across goal.

The best chance came when Brown met the ball on the bounce inside the area, but Vickery reacted quickly to make a strong save at his near post.

Helafu then tested the City goalkeeper from distance in the final moments, but Vickery held the shot to preserve City's clean sheet.

United will take encouragement from the number of chances created, but ultimately left Carrington without a point after City converted one of their few clear openings.

Line-up: Hardy; Helafu, McCormack (c), Ngwashi (Laurie 75), J. Watson (Carrick 75); McEvoy (McLaughlin 84), Shah; Ziro (De Jonge-Seiros 67), Camacho-Sidos, Brown; Mpofu (Bradbury 75).

Substitutes: Z. Watson (GK), Emsden-James.

Booked: J. Watson 38.

Line-up: Vickery, Thornton, Lawrie, Barrett, Houlihan, Ndjornou, Wain (c), Gorman, Lamb, Oliver, Woode (Whisker 87).

Substitutes: Grigg (GK), Obin, Carrington, Shire, Motsi, Aiyegbusi.

Goal: Lamb 66.