Northern Ireland Under 18's lost 1-0 in a valiant display in front of 2,000 fans at The Showgrounds in Coleraine.
A 9th minute goal from Nishan Burkart sealed the win for Manchester United U18s who are coached by Fermanagh's Kieran McKenna.
The Under 18s, coached by U17s & U19s boss Stephen Frail, had chances to take a draw as soon as six minutes after the opener. Ross Larkin thought he'd scored from close range only for the linesman's flag to stop the celebrations.
Glenavon's Bobby Burns was next and had probably the best chance of the game after his run was finished with a 35 yard shot which hit the crossbar.
Northern Ireland created more chances and in the 88th minute Ryan Strain was on the end of a cross from Burns but his header went wide.
A narrow defeat but a great performance in front of a large crowd in Coleraine.
Northern Ireland: C.Larkin, Lawlor, Crane, McKenna, Toal, R.Larkin, Brown, Burns, Reynolds, Roscoe, Scannell. Subs Used: Kirk, Strain, O’Mahoney.
Manchester United: Richardson, O’Connor, Williams, Dunne, Barrett, Whelan, McGhee, Garner, Burkart, Greenwood, Baars. Subs Used: Bughail-Mellor, Bernard, Spratt, Laird.
