Manchester United U21s lost their unbeaten start to the Premier League 2 campaign, falling 4-0 to Blackburn Rovers at the Unity Stadium on Friday evening.

Striker Chido Obi — scorer of two goals in the last two games — and Shea Lacey, who escaped an injury scare against Tottenham Hotspur, both started on the bench.

The game began with a low tempo before Blackburn grabbed it by the horns.

The visitors took the lead in the 14th minute, when Aodhan Doherty received a pass from Brandon Powell before powering a shot home.

Jayce Fitzgerald got the chance to level the scores at the other end, but could not get his effort on target.

The Red Devils then got reduced to 10 men in the 39th minute after Albert Mills was sent off for a foul on Powell.

Shortly after, Blackburn doubled their lead through Joseph Boggan’s strike at the back post, and Powell added to their tally in the first half stoppage time.

Coach Travis Binnion made some changes at the start of the second half, before introducing Lacey to freshen things up, but United posed little threat to the visitors.

Defender Dan Armer...