Isaac Holland found the net twice, but Brentford Under-21s were beaten 3-2 by Manchester United Under-21s in Premier League 2 at Progress With Unity Stadium on Friday evening.

Holland’s brace kept the Bees in the contest, but Sam Saunders’ side were unable to complete a comeback as they slipped to a narrow defeat.

There were three changes to the starting XI, with Josh Oladapo-Gamu, Ben Wilson and Luca Picotto coming into the side.

The home side were controlling the possession early on and they had a chance to open the scoring through captain Jack Fletcher who managed to find space in the box and shoot from close range but Aidan Stokes did well to parry the ball away.

Despite creating little of note in the opening 19 minutes, the young Bees took the lead with a well-worked move. Caelan Avenell played a long diagonal ball towards Joseph Wheeler-Henry, who delivered a fine cross into the path of Holland, and the forward calmly slotted the ball into the net.

Following the goal, the away side were comfortable and looking the more threatening of the two teams.

However on the stroke of the half-time whistle, Amir Ibragimov struck for the home side, drilling a shot past Stokes to draw his side level in the game.

The second period saw the home side camped in Brentford’s half as they continued to probe for another goal.

While clear-cut chances remained at a premium, the young Red Devils were firmly in control of proceedings.

On 63 minutes, their pressure finally paid off as defender Yuel Helafu’s scuffed effort took several deflections before finding the back of the net.

Holland had the chance almost instantly to level the scoreline as he was played in on goal but the striker's shot bounced off the post.

Manchester United then extended their lead through Victor Musa, who was in the right place to finish from close range.

Second-half substitute Jai Nwosu had a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit, but his effort was saved by Cameron Byrne-Hughes.

Holland would have the final say for the Bees, completing his brace to make it 3-2, but Brentford were unable to find a late equaliser as they fell to a narrow defeat.

The defeat leaves Saunders’ side with two wins and two losses from their opening four PL2 fixtures.

The Bees are next in action on Tuesday 22 September as they begin their EFL Trophy campaign away from home against Bromley.

Manchester United: Byrne-Hughes, Helafu, Mills, Armer, Amass, T.Fletcher, Musa (Biyik 81), Thwaites (Orozco 81), Ibragimov (Thompson 73), J.Fletcher, Lusale (Mantato 31)

Subs: Heath, Munro, Blanco

Booked: Helafu 23, Byrne-Hughes 90+1

Brentford: Stokes, Wheeler-Henry, Oladapo-Gamu (Nwosu 63), Grey, Avenell, Gorman (Bentt 63), Shield, Owen, Holland, Wilson (Giscombe 73), Picotto (Hanson 73)

Subs: Wolfheimer, Trimboli, Powis

Booked: Saunders 75

Saunders: Disappointed to have lost

Sam Saunders reacts to his side's defeat against Manchester United Under-21s.

"It was disappointing not to get anything from the game," he said. "Manchester United are a very good team, so it was always going to be a big test for us.

"We knew we'd have to suffer without the ball at times, but the lads worked really hard and were committed to doing the hard yards. I thought we showed good quality when we had possession, so it's frustrating not to come away with something from the game."