The Blues had the better chances across the 90 minutes. Estevao Willian shaved the post with an effort early into the first half before going off injured, and Enzo Fernandez also came close with a guided attempt from inside the United penalty area.

Unfortunately, moments before the half-time interval, and with Wesley Fofana off the pitch after receiving treatment, United broke the deadlock as Matheus Cunha fired home from inside the penalty area.

In the second period, Liam Delap struck the crossbar with a header, and Wesley Fofana did the same soon after. Moises Caicedo also came inches away with a powerful drive from distance, but it wasn't to be for the Blues.

'It was a really difficult result to take,' said Rosenior in his post-match press conference. 'They've had one shot on our goal when we're down to ten men because of an injury and they score.

'We have wave after wave of attack, put crosses in the box, and have moments that we don't take advantage – we've hit the woodwork several times.

'What we can't do is fall into a cycle where we feel like it's not going to be our day, or we feel sorry for ourselves because we have to keep working and turn this around.

The Blues had almost 60 per cent possession during the 90 minutes and registered 21 shots to United's four, aspects of our performance that Rosenior says can be built upon in the games ahead.

'People don't want to hear me say how well we played and didn't win the game,' he said. 'We're here to win, and there are many elements of the process and underlying things that we're looking into that suggest that if you stay in this process, we will win games of football.

'It doesn’t look like it at the moment, but the reality is Manchester United have come here, had one shot on our goal while we [momentarily] had ten men and won a game 1-0, which should be pretty much impossible.'