Speaking after his side were narrowly beaten by Manchester United Under-21s, Leeds boss Scott Gardner thought his side were unlucky to walk away empty handed.

Two goals down, Louie Philpott’s emphatic strike halved the deficit but the Whites were unable to find the equaliser despite threatening throughout the second half.

“I thought the performance was excellent and we fully deserved to get something from the game,” Gardner told LUTV.

“So, I am disappointed in that respect but you can see a massive development with the younger boys in particular, who have started to step up now to this level.

“We have noticed a big change in the last 10 days or so. In their training sessions they are looking more at the level that we need and we use today as a perfect example against a good side to go and show that, where everybody else can see it as well.”

Speaking more on his youthful squad, the boss added: “The reason we have moved them up in the second half of the season is because we want to see who can be in our changing room at the start of pre-season. That has been the carrot for the last couple of weeks, to use these games as an opportunity to showcase yourselves.”

Ahead of kick off, the manager named hugely experienced goalkeeper Alex Cairns in his starting lineup and reflected on his impact on his side.

“What a top person, what a top pro. We have been really lucky to have him. He is massively important for the younger lads in particular, just his calmness and the way he speaks to them. I thought he was a different class.”