Manchester United explain why striker Charlie McNeill isn't starting for academy

Manchester United's youngsters were supported by a sell-out away crowd against Stockport County on Tuesday night and the players sprinted to the travelling contingent to embrace fans when the winning penalty hit the back of the net.

Nick Cox, who is the head of the academy, tweeted shortly after the game: "Someone once said ‘give youngsters a chance and they rarely let you down’. Our fans made the experience even more special … as they always do."

After gutwrenchingly conceding in the final seconds of 11 minutes of added time, the youngsters showed impressive grit and resilience to win the shootout and each of the five players that stepped up converted from the spot.

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There was even a Panenka penalty from Shola Shoretire. The academy players are not short on confidence and there had been earlier audible gasps when 17-year-old goalkeeper Elyh Harrison did a Cruyff turn with the Stockport striker closing him down.

It was a successful night for an Under-21 side that had three 17-year-olds in the starting line-up and after the final whistle, technical director Darren Fletcher emerged from the tunnel with a grin to greet a member of the communications staff.

Travis Binnion has full control of the U21s this season and he arrived pitchside shortly afterwards to speak to a handful of journalists.

Binnion discussed the performance, Harrison, Dan Gore, Charlie McNeill and whether a familiar goalkeeper back on trial would be signed. "He just loves football and he's always asking to play," he said when asked about Gore.

"Dan asked to play on Friday night [against Leeds] and I think the compromise was 45 minutes. You want all your players to want to play football