Man Utd U18 manager Adam Lawrence spoke after the youngsters exited the FA Youth Cup on penalties on Monday.
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Former Manchester United Manager, Sir Alex Ferguson attends the The FA Youth Cup Semi Final match between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Villa Park
Sir Alex Ferguson watches Manchester United at Aston Villa in the FA Youth Cup semi-final
Sir Alex Ferguson attended Villa Park to watch Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup semi-final.
The youngsters were fancied to make the final of the prestigious academy competition, but they crashed out on penalties and will have to pick themselves up for their league title defence.
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The Under-18s are stacked with talent but fell behind within three minutes. James Scanlon scored an equaliser to ensure it was 1-1 at half-time and the second half was closely contested.
Nothing could split the sides after 120 minutes and penalties were required. Jim Thwaites stepped up first and his spot-kick was brilliantly saved before Scanlon converted, but Amir Ibragimov and Zach Baumann missed, which meant United bowed out.
After the game, United U18 boss Adam Lawrence said: “The longer extra time went on, particularly second half, I thought Villa were hanging on physically, trying to stay in the game. Not that they were playing for penalties, but they thought if they got the game to penalties it would be a good thing.
“We were trying to take the game to them but we lacked that last little bit around the box and those final moments when normally we would be more clinical. That ruthlessness around the box was probably lacking over the course of the 120 minutes. Penalties are a lottery but we are more disappointed we couldn’t get the job done in 120 minutes.”
He continued: "We have come up short today and obviously congratulations to Aston Villa, but across the competition with the games that we’ve had, the opposition, the levels of games…
"That’s what we want to expose our players to. We want to expose our players to the best games, the best opposition, the best level, and obviously playing in these types of stadiums that we have tonight is really valuable for not just Chido [Obi], but for all of the boys.
"Ultimately we want them to aspire to get to the level where they are playing at the level where they are playing at these kinds of stadiums every week in front of fans in terms of creating that.
Sam Proctor of Aston Villa celebrates after helping his side to a penalty shoot out win over Manchester United in the The FA Youth Cup Semi Final
Aston Villa knocked Manchester United out of the FA Youth Cup on penalties in the semi-final
"I have to say that from the start, the Manchester United fans were absolutely incredible, and we felt that throughout the competition, but definitely tonight, so we really appreciate it."
Lawrence admitted it was "special" to see Ferguson in attendance. "It’s amazing to know that Sir Alex is in the stands and there to support the boys and the rest of the fans," he said.
"It’s not a surprise at this club though, to be honest. When you join this club, you quickly appreciate and understand how much the academy is thought of and how much support comes from the people within, and it’s really special for the players to experience that.
"I only knew yesterday [Ferguson would attend]. It’s hard because you want the boys to think about these things and think about how special it is, but they have also got to be really focused on the performance and the game. But I think they know how special things like that are and people supporting them so I think they definitely felt that."
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Lawrence was asked about his dressing room message and said: "In that moment, you can say things that you feel are right to say, but the players are ultimately gutted. It will more be on reflection over the next day or two in terms of going into a bit of detail.
"But we said in the hotel and at the start of this competition that if we are going to fall short everybody has got to see the spirit of the team, the mentality of the team, and I was proud of the boys in terms of them showing that tonight.
"Someone just said it in there, if it was a boxing match, I think we probably won it on points over the 120 minutes. We probably didn’t do enough to knock the opposition out, but across the game, I thought we were slightly better in those areas. But when it goes to penalties, it becomes that lottery, so you can only control so much."