"Move the ball, move it now," was the shout from Manchester United's U21s manager Mark Dempsey on the touchline at Moss Lane on Wednesday night. Sparta Prague's defensive line was in formation and the youngsters were carefully trying to unlock it.
United's U21s won their first Premier League 2 match of the season at the weekend against Wolves and they were looking for back-to-back victories against Sparta Prague in the International Cup, which is a competition that gives English academy sides the opportunity to play European opposition. It represents a different challenge for young talent and that was apparent ahead of kick-off.
Sparta Prague's youngsters were in the tunnel preparing with foam rollers for the match and it quickly became clear they were bound to be a physical test when they emerged to warm up under the floodlights, as the stature of their players was noticeable.
