10-man Leeds United fall to battling Old Trafford defeat at Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup

The Whites were beaten in FA Youth Cup action in Lancashire
Leeds United's Under-18s in action at Old Trafford in the FA Youth Cup. (Credit: Leeds United)Leeds United's Under-18s in action at Old Trafford in the FA Youth Cup. (Credit: Leeds United)
Leeds United's Under-18s in action at Old Trafford in the FA Youth Cup. (Credit: Leeds United)

Leeds United fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening in the FA Youth Cup with Henri Kumwenda sent off for the Whites.

Leeds were backed by 1500 travelling supporters as they faced their old foe in the famous youth competition.

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It was the hosts who dominated the early stages of the game but forward Kumwenda had a glorious chance to break the deadlock with a header during the visitors first attack.

Full-back Dean Burlace swung in a ball from the left which found the striker inside the six-yard box but his glancing effort fell inches wide of the mark.

Leeds were organised and playing on the break before Jack Jenkins stole the ball in the heart of the Red Devils defence.

Goalkeeper Ondrej Mastny rushed out to force the midfielder wide of goal with his cutback finding Stuart McKinstry who fired over the net from the edge of the area.

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It was then the turn of Mark Helm to go close for Man United as his free-kick from 20-yards left Cooper Skerry's crossbar shaking.

The Whites stopper then made a vital save from Hannibal Mejbri as he was given the freedom of the Leeds half with the goalkeeper producing a great save to keep the scores level at the break.

Mark Jackson's side continued to cause their opponents headaches after the interval as McKinstry and Kumwenda both went close.

Charlie Cresswell, though, had to be on hand to halt the progress of Dillon Hoogewerf with a brilliantly timed sliding tackle before Skerry swept up.

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Leeds were finally beaten at the back through the striker as he guided a clever header into the far corner just after the hour mark.

A bad minute was compounded for the visitors as Kumwenda received his marching orders just seconds after the restart for a shove on halfway having earlier picked up a yellow for a pullback.

With Leeds down to 10 men the visitors were up against it with the Red Devils missing a host of chances to double the lead.

Leeds threw caution to the wind late on but failed to find that all important strike as Nohan Kenneh shot wide deep into injury-time.

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Manchester United: Mastny, Bejger, Devine, Mengi, Hockenhull, McCann, Wellens (Stanley 80), Helm, Hoogewerf (Forson 76), Mejbri, Shoretire (Sotona 71). Subs: Neville, Mee, Svidersky, Hardley.

Leeds United: Skerry, Pilkington, Burlace, Kenneh, Cresswell, Moore, McKinstry, Jenkins (Bray 90), Kumwenda, Gibbon (Galloway 71), Haugland (McMillan 71). Subs: Turner, Shergill, Fewster, Leverett.