Manchester United's youngsters took a massive step forward in their quest for qualification to the knockout stages with a victory over Atalanta — but they made things more difficult than it had to be.
Neil Wood's Under-19s travelled to Bergamo full of confidence after defeating their opponents 4-2 back at Leigh Sports Village two weeks ago, even if they went into the game without three of the goalscorers from that day. Zidane Iqbal and Joe Hugill who weren't involved, as well as Alejandro Garnacho who was on the bench.
Despite being without some key players it was still a strong United side containing the likes of Anthony Elanga, Teden Mengi and Shola Shoretire and when the game finally got under way, after a slight delay due the groundstaff being unable to turn the sprinklers off, the latter grabbed the opening goal after just seven minutes.
It was left-back Alvaro Fernandez — who is continuing to impress — who had made an early advance down the flank and his cut-back found an unmarked Omari Forson, who had time to control the ball before teeing up Shoretire to sweep home.
United would go on to dominate the opening half an hour on the ball, with Atalanta not getting started at all, and deservedly doubled their lead through Elanga.
The forward, whose pace and skill had been troubling the Le Dea defence throughout, whipped a free-kick in from a dangerous position and it looked to evade everyone on its way into the far corner. Charlie McNeil may have got a slight touch, but the Swede was awarded the strike.
United looked comfortable as half-time approached but allowed Atalanta a route back into the game when Martin Svidersky was adjudged to have dragged down a forward. It may have been a bit soft but Guillaume Renault made no mistake as he coolly lofted the ball into the top corner.
The goal seemed to boost the hosts and Tomasso de Nipoti came within a whisker of levelling as he threw himself at Federico Zuccon's dangerous pass.
The half-time whistle came as a relief to United and they regained control after the break. Shoretire got himself into a good position but uncharacteristically overhit his pass to Forson and then centre-back Rhys Bennett crashed a header onto the bar from a corner, before only being able to poke the rebound wide.
The game began to open up as Atalanta pushed for an equaliser, with captain Simone Panada dragging a shot from the edge of the box just wide. Shoretire and McNeil both then drew smart, low saves out of Jacopo Sassi in quick succession.
As the clock ticked down United were pushed further and further back into their own half. De Nipoti caught Fernandez napping and went on a great run before his chipped shot sailed wide and then Renault sent a dangerous ball into the box that was begging Simone Lozza to throw himself at it.
With Atalanta committing bodies forward, twice United had great chances to seal it. Firstly Elanga ran the length of the pitch but instead of squaring to his supporting attacker he opted to go alone and his shot was saved. Sassi did well again minutes later as Garnacho looked to ponce on a loose backpass but the keeper was out to clear the danger.
They didn't live to regret their misses, though, as United managed to hold on and are now only a point away from guaranteeing their spot in the next round, with Atalanta only able to catch them on goal difference.
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