When coach Mark Dempsey entered the press box for a quick post-match chat after a recent academy game at Old Trafford, he was warm, engaging and keen to focus on the positives from Manchester United's draw against Arsenal.
Dempsey was without key players and he picked a youthful side, with four players handed their full Premier League 2 debuts. It has been a transitional campaign for the Under-21s and coaches knew results would be difficult due to the age of the team.
On the surface, the U21s have regressed, but it's understood the season has still been considered a success internally. Sources have indicated there was never any panic at the results and that it 'pretty much went exactly to plan'.
