WEST Ham United's Under-18s began their FA Premier Academy League season with an entertaining goalless draw with Manchester United at Little Heath.

A crowd of more than 300 turned out to watch Tony Carr's side more than match the Red Devils for long periods.

Indeed, the Irons could have won had Ahmed Abdulla not been denied by a fine save from Gary Woods with 17 minutes remaining.

But a share of the spoils was a fair reflection of a competitive, sometimes sparky, affair.

Following a frenetic opening 20 minutes, the home side took control of affairs, keeping possession well across their five-man midfield.

The only early moment of note saw Abdulla receive five minutes of treatment to a mouth wound following a clash of heads with United defender Reece Brown – the younger brother of England right-back Wes.

West Ham's major first half threat came through left-winger Anthony Edgar, who fired one shot over and another straight at Woods.

Central midfielder Oliver Lee then combined well with Tony Brookes, but Abdulla could only head the right-back's cross straight at the goalkeeper.

At the other end, Davide Petrucci and lively winger Cameron Stewart both drove long-range efforts straight at home stopper Adam Street.

Stewart also went down under a clumsy challenge from Brookes, but United's penalty claims were waved away.

After half-time, a feisty affair threatened to bubble over as United midfielders Matthew James and Oliver Norwood were both booked for poorly-timed tackles.

But the visitors were also playing the better football and should have gone ahead on 47 minutes.

Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson gifted the ball to James, who sent Angolan Evandro Brandao clear of the Irons' defence, only for Street to save brilliantly with his right foot.

United's Federico Macheda then saw the goalkeeper tip a fierce left-foot shot over the crossbar after the Italian had danced past two challenges.

Carr responded by sending on Austrian Georg Grasser, who added steel and passing ability to the home midfield on his competitive debut for the club.

And the change also paid dividends when Abdulla was sent clear by Josh Payne, but Woods ensured the game ended scoreless.

West Ham United Under-18: (4-5-1) Street, Brookes, Fry, N'Gala, Eyjolfsson, Kearns (Montano 77), Edgar, Lee, Okus (Grasser 67), Payne, Abdulla.

Manchester United Under-18: (4-4-2) Woods, Strickland, Gill, Brown, Wootton, Norwood, James, Petrucci (Brady 64), Stewart (Curran 80), Macheda, Brandao (Ajose 53).