"Keep going Charlie," was the shout heard from the pockets of fans that sought shelter from the glaring sun on the terraces at Leigh Sports Village. The shout was directed at Charlie Savage, who started for Manchester United's U21s against Crystal Palace.
United welcomed Crystal Palace to a sun-soaked Leigh Sports Village on Friday night and Savage started in midfield. The 19-year-old impressed on United's first-team tour of Thailand and Australia and he captained the U21s last weekend for their opening game in the Premier League 2. Savage did not wear the armband against Palace but he very much tried to lead by example on the pitch.
There has been change in United's academy this summer with Neil Wood departing to manage Salford City. Wood helped 17 academy players make their first-team debuts at Old Trafford during his tenure and was popular among players. Mark Dempsey was appointed as his successor and that has meant a formation change for the U21s to familiarise themselves with this season.
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United played 4-3-3 with Wood in charge and they played a 4-5-1 on Friday night. Savage started in the centre of the pitch alongside FA Youth Cup heroes Kobbie Mainoo, Isak Hansen-Aarøen and Omari Forson, while Shola Shoretire lined up on the left side.
Although United had the numerical advantage in midfield, that didn't stop Palace from finding space immediately from the first whistle and it didn't take long for the London club to capitalise. Palace won a free-kick and United defended like they had sunstroke.
United failed to clear the ricocheting ball and David Omilabu scored after just five minutes, which was a warning of what was to come. The Reds attempted to respond and they enjoyed spells of possession but they were devoid of creativity in the final third.
The formation looked dysfunctional and Mateo Mejia, who led the attack for United, was isolated. This level of football is very much an education and it's clear this latest crop of youngsters is still learning and adjusting to the system which Dempsey wants to play.
That was evident again when United were caught out by a simple, speculative long ball in the 30th minute. Will Fish was the last man and he was challenged with thwarting Palace's John-Kymani Gordon but he gave the forward too much respect.
Gordon took advantage and doubled his side's lead. Dermot Mee then produced a brilliant save to ensure United didn't concede another. The game was clearly only going in one direction until Savage gave his side a lifeline just before half-time.
With just minutes of the first half left, Mejia received the ball on the edge of the box and found Savage, who tucked the ball into the left corner with a superbly composed finish. The shout of 'keep going Charlie' had worked, not that Savage needed it.
This is his second season at this level and his experience of training with the first team gives him an edge in this sphere. United's midfield failed to control the game against Palace, but Savage worked tirelessly as usual and he scored his side's only goal.
Savage's effort was United's only shot on target in the game and that was indicative of the performance. Although Dempsey had words with the players at half-time, they were made redundant when Palace scored immediately after the break.
As it happened, Fish wouldn't be the only player on the night to give Palace's Gordon far too much time on the ball. Charlie Wellens, who usually impresses at right-back in the academy, was guilty of the same crime and that allowed the visitors to make it 3-1.
"Mejia, we need you bro, make runs," Bjorn Hardley shouted at his centre-forward before Shoretire was seen throwing his hands up in frustration. United were collectively not good enough and Palace soon effortlessly made it 4-0.
Mee made a blunder in the United goal and such mistakes will always be punished. Shoretire and Hansen-Aarøen, who had started well with his quick feet, were substituted off with 25 minutes to go for Charlie McNeill and Noam Emeran, but the damage had already been done. The game was beyond United and Palace almost made it five when hitting the crossbar twice in quick succession.
The temperature finally began to drop but the cooler conditions did not spark improvement from United. Instead, Palace made it 5-1 with a goal from a corner. "How easy was that," goalkeeper Mee shouted in anger - and he certainly wasn't wrong.
It was a night to forget for the U21s - there would have been no post-match Cornettos in the dressing room.
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