Jamie Gullan gave us the lead from the penalty spot, before the Red Devils showed an incredibly clinical edge.
The match was an excellent test for our development squad players and also the perfect opportunity to get some of the younger lads from the first team squad valuable minutes under their belts.
Manchester United’s U23s started the strongest and dominated the early proceedings at Oriam drawing a double save out of Kevin Dabrowski. The 23-year-old stopped a free-kick from just outside the area, before denying Omari Forson’s rebound from close range.
The Red Devils continued to control the proceedings, but the young Hibees stood their ground and created a number of chances on the counter-attack, mainly through the enterprising runs from Steven Bradley and the hard work of Jamie Gullan.
Bradley’s first chance was just inside the area, he cut onto his left, going past the full-back, but his deflected effort flew into the hands of the ‘keeper.
Mastny, the man in the Utd net, was called into action shortly after, this time denying a fierce left-footed effort from Gallen as he created space for himself on the edge of the area.
Around the 30-minute mark Bradley was peppering the Utd goal, firing over, hitting the side-netting from a free-kick, and being denied by Mastny from close range.
His hard work, though, was soon to pay off as he combined with Gullan. The striker released the 19-year-old winger down the left, who drove into the area before being brought down.
Gullan stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Unfortunately, Man Utd were level almost immediately following a piece of real quality. Forson picked the ball up 25-yards out and curled a terrific effort into the top corner with his left-foot.
We kept pushing forward with Gullan, who headed over from inside the area, and Bradley (below), who curled just wide from the edge of the area.
Mastny then made a magnificent save to deny 16-year-old Murray Aiken, the ball fell to the midfielder inside the area, and somehow the Man Utd ‘keeper managed to claw his effort, which looked to be heading for the top corner, away from goal.
As we looked to be going in level, Man Utd were awarded a penalty on the half-time whistle after Jack Brydon brought a man down. Charlie McNeill stepped up and just squeezed the spot kick past Dabrowski.
The second half saw changes for both sides, and we started strongly testing the substitute ‘keeper Mee. At the other end, Dabrowski denied Isak Hansen-Aarøen’s 20-yard free-kick.
The Red Devils added their third, though, on the hour mark. Dillon Hoogewerf met an excellent ball across the face of goal and tapped in from close range.
Charlie McCann made it four with 15 minuets remaining, he picked up a loose ball 20-yards out and fired a fantastic effort into the top corner.
Our young Hibees kept fighting and Gullan had a brilliant chance to pull one back moments later. He met Josh O’Connor’s in-swinging cross a few yards out but head the ball wide.
Next up, the first team squad will travel to Andorra for the second leg of the Europa Conference League match against FC Santa Coloma. The match on Thursday 29 July will be placed behind-closed-doors and kick-off at 5.30pm.
Hibernian starting line-up
Dabrowski, Trialist, Blaney, Brydon, McIntyre, Campbell, Trialist, Aiken, Bradley, Gullan, Gallantes.
Substitutes
Johnson, Hamilton, O’Connor, Laidlaw, Young, Fairley, Reilly, McCulloch
