[alfiandrmwn]

Under-18s: West Brom 1 United 1

Barclays U18 Premier League
Saturday 8 August

WEST BROM U18 1
(Melbourne 11)

MANCHESTER UNITED U18 1
(Dearnley 18)

Manchester United started the Barclays Under-18 Premier League season with a 1-1 draw at West Brom with Zach Dearnley scoring a first-half equaliser.

The Reds, who included trialists Thomas Sang and DJ Buffonge in the line-up, fell behind in the 11th minute when Max Melbourne broke through the defence. Although Oliver Byrne kept out Melbourne's initial shot, the Baggies man snapped up the rebound after it bounced off Jimmy Dunne.

Seven minutes later, Buffonge took a corner to the back post where Dearnley climbed highest to convert a header for the leveller.

United had the majority of possession throughout the game but struggled to take the chances that were carved out in the final third. Consequently, West Brom played mostly on the counter attack and, despite hitting the bar before half time, they rarely threatened Byrne's goal.

Marcus Rashford also rattled the woodwork in the second period after a great run and, in the closing minutes, Callum Gribbin's free-kick hit the frame of the goal to leave the Reds frustrated not to get a winner.

United starting XI: Byrne; Sang (Thompson 78), Williams, Dunne, Hamilton; Whelan, Kehinde (Kenyon 69), Buffonge, Dearnley; Gribbin; Rashford. Subs: Dorrington, Tanner, Diedrick-Roberts.