Manchester United scouting report vs Astana: Youngsters Di’Shon Bernard, Mason Greenwood and James Garner rated

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handed out starts to nine academy graduates

Manchester United faded in Kazakhstan as Astana rallied to hand them their first defeat of the season in the Europa League.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took great pleasure in handing starts to nine academy graduates, with their qualification already secured.

The average age of the outfield players was just 20 years and 221 days, this was the youngest United side in European history.

Jesse Lingard gave the Red Devils the lead, but Dmitri Shomko and an own-goal from Di’Shon Bernard flipped the game in the hosts’ favour.

Here’s a closer look on how the next generation at United got on in Nur-Sultan.

Ethan Laird, 18 - 6

Initially a bit rash in the challenge, Laird grew into the game and was not overoared by the occasion. Good pace down the right to overlap but his delivery was mixed. Took some time to judge distance when the ball was fed out to his side, notably against Abdal Beysebekov, who preferred to come inside on his right.

Axel Tuanzebe, 22 – 6

Did not distinguish himself as the more experienced centre-back. An understandable lack of chemistry between the pair.

Di’Shon Bernard, 19 - 6

Strong in the tackle and judged distance well, notably against Maevskiy, but not close enough to Dmitri Shomko for the equaliser and then put through his own net. Unlucky, but showed great promise.

United fielded a young line-up in the Europa League (Getty) (Manchester United via Getty Imag)

Dylan Levitt, 19 – 6

Kept a nice positional discipline alongside Garner and was more positive on the ball, working in triangles to find space.

James Garner, 18 – 7

Diligent in tracking runs and able to win the ball high up the pitch, kept it simple despite Astana affording him time and space.

Angel Gomes, 19 – 5

Struggled to impose himself on the game, his tricks rarely came off. Almost scored with a fine free-kick.

Tahith Chong, 19 – 4

Inconsistent touch when carrying the ball forward, did not capitalise on the space opened up by Greenwood’s movement as much as he should have done. A horrible miss at 0-1 to put the game away too.

Mason Greenwood, 18 – 6

Drifts well to the wings to release space for others, but snatched at the chances that came his way until a smart finish was brilliantly stopped with 13 minutes to go by Nenad Eric. Always alive even when not at his very best.