'We got punished' - How Manchester United reacted to shock FA Youth Cup defeat to Swindon Town

Manchester United's Under-18s manager Adam Lawrence was bitterly disappointed to see his side crash out of the FA Youth Cup against Swindon Town.

The U18s have won all 11 of their league games this season and they were fancied to go deep into the competition, but they suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to Swindon on Tuesday night.

Swindon scored two goals in the first half and Lawrence's young side were unable to recover after half-time. United have won the Youth Cup more than any other club (11), which means losing against Cat 3 academy opposition was a huge blow.

ALSO READ: United fans impressed by Ratcliffe during first meetings

ALSO READ: United suffer shock FA Youth Cup defeat

Lawrence spoke to MUTV to give his reaction after the defeat and he was visibly disappointed, although he did stress the result would be a learning experience for the players.

"A very difficult result to take. I think first of all, you have to say Swindon deserved the win, so congratulations to their players, staff and club because overall they deserved the win," Lawrence said.

"When you play away from home in these types of competitions and with the pitch the way it was, the last thing you want to do is concede early and let the opposition have something to hold onto.

"They got a foothold into the game and we shot ourselves in the foot a little bit, then conceded a second shortly after that. I think we gave ourselves a mountain to climb in terms of showing a lack of quality in the first half to really open them up. Their goalkeeper had very little to do and then we conceded twice at the other end.

"We got punished in those moments. We were below par, individually and collectively, but I think to be fair to the boys, what we said at half-time is