NORWICH City's Under-21s fell to a 7-0 defeat on a difficult evening against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday evening.

United fielded senior players such as Memphis Depay, Sergio Romero and Phil Jones, whilst City called on those who performed FA Youth Cup heroics after their astounding 5-4 victory over Middlesbrough last week.

However, the hosts enjoyed the majority of possession throughout and Will Keane brought a fine save from 'keeper Remi Matthews early on, then the City stopper was equal to the resulting corner kick.

Another set piece minutes later had City hearts in mouths but Keane's nonchalant flick six yards out trickled wide of the far post.

The Red Devils' pressure soon told as Andreas Pereira's jinking run and cut-back from the left found Keane in space, and the latter fired beyond Matthews to open the scoring after 13 minutes.

Some intricate play from Ebou Adams and Glenn Middleton teed up Benny Ashley-Seal on the edge of the Manchester United area, but Sergio Romero was untroubled by his effort on goal.

United double their advantage shortly before half time, with Memphis Depay's driving run ending with him flicking the ball over Matthews to find Keane lurking at the back post, who had the simplest of tasks to tap the ball into an empty net.

The duo would link up again in similar fashion shortly after the restart as Keane completed his hat-trick from close range after Memphis had glided past the City defence.

A blistering start to the second half would prove costly for the Canaries, as Pereira earned his side a penalty shortly afterwards and duly coverted the resulting spot kick after 51 minutes.

Keane then added his fourth for the night as he delicately lifted the ball over Matthews from the edge of the area with a precise chip.

Substitute Timothy Fosu-Mensah's marauding run down the left flank went unchallenged and he glided into the area before slipping the ball past Mathews to get on the scoresheet.

James Weir's through ball found Keane and he hit an accurate drive into the far corner to wrap up the scoring with 14 minutes remaining to make it 7-0 to the Red Devils.

FULL-TIME: Manchester United 7-0 Norwich City

GOALS: Red Devils: Keane (13, 37, 47, 62, 76), Pereira (pen 51), Fosu-Mensah (70).

NORWICH CITY: Matthews; Hall-Johnson (c), Crowe, Coker, Efete; Grant, Godfrey; Middleton (Ramsay 45), Adams (McIntosh 81), Cantwell; Ashley-Seal. Unused subs: Killip (GK), Couzens, Jaiyesimi.

REPORT: MANCHESTER UNITED 7-0 UNDER-21s

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