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Manchester United Under-16s played their first match in Hong Kong on Friday, taking on Kitchee, the Hong Kong Premier League Under-18 champions.

The fixture formed part of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Youth Football Academy Summit, an event that brings Manchester United to Hong Kong every year for both football and cultural exchange.

In front of a crowd of more than 4,000, the United youngsters had the opportunity to test themselves against older opponents while also dealing with extremely hot and humid conditions, very different from what they are used to in the United Kingdom.

Kitchee created the first opening of the match in the second minute when Marley Irving spilled the ball from a corner, and Jack Waters cleared the rebound off the line.

From the resulting corner, Kitchee worked the ball backwards before sending a looping delivery into the penalty area. Irving again failed to hold it, and the Hong Kong side reacted quickest.

The United goalkeeper was challenged as he attempted to gather the ball, and it appeared he might get the decision in his favour when VAR advised the referee to review the incident for a foul. However, the referee stayed with the original decision and allowed the goal to stand.

Things became more difficult for the young Red Devils in the 22nd minute when Kitchee found the net once more.

Estan Chisnall-Devent slipped close to the halfway line, allowing Kitchee to launch a counter-attack that was finished smartly into the bottom-left corner.

But on this occasion VAR came to United’s aid, with the goal ruled out for offside. United enjoyed most of the possession during the first half, yet it was the Hong Kong club that looked more threatening on the counter.

United’s first major chance fell to Mane Soares from a Chisnall-Devent cross, and the winger forced an excellent save from the goalkeeper as the score remained 1-0 at half-time.

Soon after the restart, United forced a double save from the Kitchee goalkeeper after Chisnall-Devent surged beyond two defenders and got away the first effort.

It was a scrappy contest, with neither side pulling out of challenges, and one such moment earned United a free-kick on the right flank.

Jed Bangura swung the free-kick into the box and, after the first clearance failed, Locclan Harrison hammered the ball into the roof of the net to bring United level.

United then had a late chance to win the match when Harrison got beyond the opposition defence and into the area, but he lost his footing just as he was about to shoot. The game finished 1-1, meaning penalties were needed to decide the winner.

The shootout began with both goalkeepers producing important saves. Gus Murdock and Bangura converted their spot-kicks, but it was not United’s night as they eventually went down 3-2 on penalties.

In spite of the defeat, United’s Chisnall-Devent was named man of the match, with the award presented by former United player Jaap Stam.

Kitchee’s win was the first time United have ever been beaten at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Youth Football Academy Summit. Their focus now shifts to Sunday, when they will face the Hong Kong Under-16 national team.

United: Irving, Akinsanya, Murdock, Harrison, Waters, Nyoni (C), Bangura, Soares, Wright, Chisnall-Devent, Okeke

Subs: Hartley, J. Mantato, Deighton, Fagborun, Marsden-Umebuani, Houghton, Millward, Mills, M. Ibragimov, Mullings