Manchester United's youngsters are still awaiting their first victory of the season as they were swept aside by Arsenal at Meadow Park, but Phil Jones and Dean Henderson picked up some valuable game time.
The Reds travelled down to London for their second away game of the season and lined up with the two first-team stars as well as Teden Mengi, Shola Shoretire and Hannibal Mejbri.
However it was Arsenal's first-teamers in attack that were the difference makers as Folarin Balogun scored twice to condemn the away side to a 3-1 defeat. Shoretire pulled one back for Neil Wood's side before an injury-time strike from Charlie Patino wrapped up the points for the Gunners.
United behind inside the first two minutes when Balogun pulled the trigger from distance to beat Henderson. They doubled their lead not long after with a brilliant counter attack, Balogun clinically finishing a one-on-one to hand the home side a cushion.
United pulled one back through their young attacking midfielder Shoretire in the second half with a beautiful curling effort from the edge of the box. Jones then hit the bar with a header from a Shoretire corner, but that was the closest United came to an equaliser before Patino slotted home to earn all three points.
Wood's side have now lost two and drawn two of their opening four games of the season and sit in 12th place in the Premier League 2. They take on Brighton next at Leigh Sports Village next week.
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