Manchester United's Under 19s returned to the Progress with Unity Stadium in a 1-1 draw with Roma. 

Tynan Thompson handed Adam Lawrence's side the lead just before half-time with a delicate volley after Bendito Mantato's cross. 

United remained in the lead until the 80th minute, when Roma replied with a spot kick. The referee awarded a penalty for handball after a cacophony of shouts from the sidelines.

Darren Fletcher watched his twin sons from the stands, alongside Wayne Rooney who saw his son, Kai, come on with just under 10 minutes to play.

All three impressed, but it was three others who stole the headlines and could do well under the next Manchester United manager, given it now seems like a matter of when and not if Michael Carrick is sacked. 

Sporting the No.88 shirt, Ibragimov led the line against Roma's Under-19s, though he continued to drop deep into central midfield and rotate with Jaume Camacho through the middle. 

The 18-year-old also wore the captain's armband, despite the likes of Daniel Armer, Jack and Tyler Fletcher also named in the starting side. 

He acted like a captain too. Behind Adam Lawrence, Ibragimov was the most vocal Manchester United voice at the Progress with Unity Stadium. Often, he was calling for the ball or asking more of the referee, but he also instructed his teammates and praised them when they deserved it. 

Ibragimov has great potential, which is why so many Manchester United fans already know his name, but if he can add leadership to his game, too, he could quickly become an important player for the next first-team head coach. 

This felt like Tynan Thompson arriving at Manchester United. 

He joined from Tottenham Hotspur for £4 million, plus £4 million in add-ons, in the summer and featured against Leeds United in pre-season. Thompson has played for the Under 21s, but this was his best performance since moving to Manchester. 

Thompson netted the opening goal with a composed volley inside the box, but it was his work before the goal which impressed the fans inside the Progress with Unity Stadium. 

Marchetti struggled to handle Thompson's quick feet and burst of acceleration while starting wide on the left flank, while he also impressed after moving on to the right wing when Noah Ajayi replaced Bendito Mantato in the second half. 

Thompson could make the first-team squad this evening against Roma, though finding a first-team chance when Shea Lacey is struggling for minutes could be quite the challenge. 

Helafu is a rather understated character compared to some others in Manchester United's youth ranks. 

He is a natural right-back, but often finds himself inverting into central midfield alongside the Fletcher brothers. 

He has been a regular for the Under 21s for some time and has impressed for the academy sides, but has not been given a shot at a first-team debut just yet. 

Perhaps a new manager who favours an inverted full-back will see Helafu quickly rise through the ranks at Old Trafford.