Man United field entire team of academy stars during Cadiz defeat and one stands out

The Red Devils were beaten 4-2 by the LaLiga strugglers in a mid-World Cup friendly.

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United were 2-0 down inside just 13 minutes at the Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla, and despite drawing level through Anthony Martial and Kobbie Mainoo, Cadiz were worthy winners.

The clash did, however, provide manager Erik Ten Hag with the opportunity to assess United's crop of talented teenagers - and every player on the field in the second-half came from the club's academy.

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Mainoo, along with Marc Jurado, Tyler Fredricson, Sam Murray and Noam Emeran all made their first appearances for the senior side.

Di'Shon Bernard, Charlie Savage, Shola Shoretire and Charlie McNeill were the only young players to have previously made their first-team debuts.

"They gave energy," Ten Hag told MUTV. "They run, they fight, maybe not always in the right organisation, they make mistakes, they are not used to playing this level.

"It was a good lesson and when you make small mistakes they have big consequences and finally we lose the game."

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One player who did standout, though, was Manchester-born midfielder Zidane Iqbal.

The 19-year-old, who joined the Red Devils from Sale United in 2012, won the penalty for United's first goal after an intricate one-two with Martial.

His burst of pace and eye for a pass were there to see, and his standout performance comes after a series of strong displays in pre-season.

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Zidane, who is an attacking midfielder, has already earned two senior caps for his country Iraq so far.

He made his United debut in the Champions League draw with Young Boys last year and is continuing to impress.

Speak on MUTV, pundits Paul Woolston and Wes Brown lauded the teenager.

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"He's took his chance. He's on a different level at international and club level [now]," Woolston said.

"The manager likes what he sees in him. When he gets his chance, he's one of the brightest sparks in first half, he's doing everything right."

Brown added: "You have got to be a special player to break through in that position. He's had a few chances and he's shown glimpses what he's capable of.

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"He's very young, the manager does like him, with experience you hopes he will be even better.

"He understands the game, makes things happen, got the penalty, he sees things on the pitch. He's definitely one we will see a lot more of in the future."