Manchester United academy coach Travis Binnion described their Papa John's Trophy game at Carlisle United as a "brilliant experience".

The Red Devils' Under-21s won 2-1 at Brunton Park in Tuesday's group game.

It was the latest encounter with a top-flight side for Carlisle in the controversial competition.

Some fans continue to boycott the Trophy over the involvement of the Premier League, but Blues boss Paul Simpson spoke out in favour of it on Tuesday.

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And Binnion said it was a valuable experience for his young players, with Charlie McNeill and Omari Forson scoring the visitors' goals either side od a Jamie Devitt strike for Carlisle.

“It was my first taste of it and a lot of the lads’ first taste of it and it was just a brilliant experience in terms of the challenge in front of us - the moments in the game when we were really dominant, the moments when we were really up against it and it was a bit helter-skelter,” Binnion said.

“Their manager [Simpson] said to me at one point, ‘Welcome to League Two’ and the lads would have felt that themselves, so it’s a brilliant night."

READ MORE: Carlisle United 1 Manchester United Under-21s 2: Jamie Devitt goal in vain in Papa John's Trophy

Man Utd U21s' victory in front of a 3,331 crowd gave them first blood in northern group G, which also includes Barrow and Fleetwood Town.

Binnion, speaking on Man Utd's website, added: “Our job is to try to have the ball more, to be dominant in the game and make it look like we want it too.

“Look, you can’t do that in all moments of every game and it’s important our boys learn that and learn to get through difficult moments. Learn to stick together and find a way. That’s what we did.”