Northern Ireland international Ethan Galbraith debuts in Manchester United's Europa League defeat to Astana

Northern Ireland international Ethan Galbraith debuted as Manchester United fell to a 2-1 Europa League defeat away to Astana of Kazakhstan.

The Glengormley teenager, who made his senior international bow in a Euro 2020 qualifier with Luxembourg in September, was introduced as an 88th-minute substitute in United’s loss.

Jesse Lingard had given the Red Devils an early lead but second-half goals from Dmitri Shomko and Di’Shon Bernard saw the Kazakh side pick up their first points of the campaign.

The 18-year-old has captained his country at under-17 level and represented Northern Ireland right up to senior level.

He helped United’s under-18 side to the Premier League title in 2018 and was awarded the club’s goal of the month gong in May of the same year.

"The trials were good, and I was playing with top players as well. Players like Angel Gomes who is moving onto the first team now,” said Galbraith on his signing at Old Trafford.

Manchester United remain top of Europa League Group L in spite of their defeat and can secure a last 32 appearance by avoiding defeat at home to AZ Alkmaar next month.