Manchester United arrived at Villa Park around two hours before kick-off for the FA Youth Cup semi-final on Monday. Aston Villa's youngsters wore tracksuits and United's players club suits.
The opposition glanced over at Chido Obi as he calmly strolled onto the finely kept pitch, and it was excellent to see the young striker included in the Under-18 squad for the important clash.
Speaking at his press conference on Monday afternoon, Ruben Amorim confirmed that Obi would be involved with the U18s, explaining United were "trying to build something with the youth."
Obi was omitted from the U18 squad to face Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the Youth Cup earlier in the month because he was needed against Fulham in the FA Cup fifth round at Old Trafford.
He came close to scoring against Fulham and Amorim said it was a "good night" for Obi, despite United losing the game. Obi was looking to fire the U18s to another good night at Villa Park, but the hosts were bound to pose a challenge on home turf and scored within just three minutes.
It was an unfortunate goal to concede, although James Scanlon would have been disappointed not to react quickly enough to the deflected free-kick, which fell conveniently to Trai-Varn Mulley.
Mulley celebrated his goal like a winner in the Champions League final. How often does a fresh-faced 18-year-old score at Villa Park, in front of Sir Alex Ferguson and a few thousand fans?
Ferguson was serenaded by the travelling fans before the game and was sat alongside the head of the academy, Nick Cox. He was close to Darren Fletcher and Christopher Vivell was also present.
Sir Alex Ferguson watches the FA Youth Cup semi-final.
Cox played a crucial role in the signing of Obi last summer and the 17-year-old fired a shot into the back row of the Holte End as United looked to respond to their early setback. Obi looked to the ground and the pocket of away supporters raised his spirits with a chant of "Chido, Chido."
Adam Lawrence named a strong starting side against Aston Villa, which included the likes of Jaydan Kamason, Godwill Kukonki, Jack Fletcher, Gabriele Biancheri, Obi and Scanlon.
Considering Obi's profile and recent first-team promotion, it was no surprise to see him on the receiving end of a few rough challenges as Villa's players targeted him in the first half.
The heavy marking of Obi was creating space for others, though, and it didn't take long for United to equalise. Tyler Fletcher pulled a cross back into the box after battling on the right and Scanlon was most alert, poking home to quickly make amends for losing his man for the opening goal.
But United were their own worst enemies at times and were sloppy at the back, which saw Villa awarded a penalty. Jacob Devaney's pass was intercepted by Mason Cotcher and he found Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, who was brought down by the usually dependable William Murdock.
United were let off the hook when Aidan Borland's penalty was sent wide, and Scanlon didn't look happy when Obi shot instead of passing to him in acres of space just before the interval.
Murdock then kept United in the game, producing two exceptional saves at the start of the second half. The momentum shifted in the hosts' direction and Lawrence reacted by introducing Zach Baumann, Bendito Mantato and Jim Thwaites for Devaney, Biancheri and Jack Fletcher respectively.
James Scanlon in action for the U18s.
Obi didn't have his usual influence but would have benefited from going up against a physical defence. He has looked too comfortable at academy level but was given a proper test in the Midlands.
Cox has spoken about giving academy prospects a "well-rounded education", and Obi would have learned more at Villa Park in a tightly contested Youth Cup semi-final than not getting off the bench at the City Ground.
The 17-year-old wasn't given a moment's peace by those in claret and blue and his frustration boiled over just before full-time, when he was booked after a scuffle with T J Carroll.
United huffed and puffed during the seven minutes of added time, and the youngsters looked tired as they received instructions from Colin Little ahead of extra-time.
The U18s prevailed in extra-time against Arsenal in the quarter-finals and Samuel Lusale, who provided the assist for the matchwinner in that game, came on from the bench. Kukonki made way for the winger and Mantato moved to left-back, which was an indicator of Lawrence's intent.
Despite the introduction of fresh legs, Villa looked the most likely to score and Max Jenner missed a sitter from six yards out, much to the relief of Lawrence on the bench.
Nothing could split the sides after 120 minutes and a dreaded penalty shootout was required. Thwaites' spot-kick was brilliantly saved before Scanlon converted, but Amir Ibragimov and Baumann missed, which meant United crashed out of the competition.
It was a surprise that Obi didn't take a spot kick, although perhaps he was the designated fifth penalty taker. United's youngsters looked dejected and some slumped to their knees, but they should be proud of their Youth Cup campaign, which has generated positivity in a bleak season for the first-team.