3️⃣ points as Manchester United's kids are easily beaten by Astana | OneFootball

Manchester United let a half-time lead slip to fall to a 2-1 loss at Astana in a game in which the scoreline didn’t tell the whole story.

A team comprised of four full debutants and nine youth products were fortunate to only lose 2-1, such were the chances the hosts created after the break.

Here is what we made of it …

Mixed night for the debutants

Ethan Laird, Di’Shon Bernard and Dylan Levitt all made their first appearances in the famous red jersey in Kazakhstan.

It was also Lee Grant’s first start, with the veteran goalkeeper making one previous sub appearance, and it would be harsh to fault him too much for his showing.

But the teenagers in defence in front of him may be a little more upset about their performances in the second half.

Laird allowed the cross to get in for the leveller and when Bernard wasn’t quick enough to get across, the ball  ended up in the back of the net.

It got worse for the centre-back though as it was his unfortunate own goal, diverted in off his chest, which ultimately handed Astana a famous win.

Ahead of them though, Levitt was the pick of the trio.

He was a notable defensive presence, used the ball well along with James Garner beside him and was very positive in possession.

The Welshman did fade in the final half hour but he wasn’t the only one.

Lingard leads the way

In his first game wearing the prestigious captain’s armband, Lingard stepped up to the plate with a strong individual outing.

Still a reasonably young player himself at 26, the midfielder was charged with steering United’s youngsters through a potentially tricky away day.

It took him just 10 minutes to get them off to the perfect start with a low drive but he perhaps could have been a little more selfless thereafter.

That well-taken strike was, surprisingly, his first goal since January – a sign of how far he has fallen as a player over the past year.

Unfortunately for Lingard, these kind of occasions may now be his level and his role at the club.

No longer good enough for the first choice XI, he does still have a part to play and these kind of cup competitions could provide it.

Chong gets it wrong

For quite some time, Tahith Chong was touted as the real crown jewel in the United academy’s crown.

When it came to assessing who the brightest talent between him and Mason Greenwood was, many gave the nod to the Dutchman.

But this kind of showing will do very little to give credence to such claims anymore.

Since both broke into the first team, it is the Englishman who has looked like the bigger threat, while Chong’s most notable moment so far was his incredible second half entry for miss of the season.

Luke Shaw, who has now apparently been relegated to back-up to Brandon Williams, did brilliantly to hand him the easiest chance of his life unmarked at the back post.

Chong somehow made a mess of it and scooped over the gaping goal. Moments later, Astana broke to equalise.

You just can’t miss those kind of opportunities.