Under-18s: United 3 City 3

The thriller swung one way then the other throughout and, with four penalties being given, and all scored, this was a truly sumptuous game contested by two finely balanced teams.

Chilly and dull, but dry at the Aon Training Complex, the conditions were ideal as these great rivals lined up for the kick-off.

If the colours of the shirts, United and City in their traditional red and blue shirts respectively, weren’t sufficient to inform the casual onlooker that this was a Manchester derby, the hectic opening few minutes certainly did.

The game opened at a brisk pace with both sides doing their best to embrace the old adage that ‘attack is the best form of defence‘. Both goalkeepers were involved…