The match came to life in the second period following a quiet opening 45 minutes. A fantastic goal from Grimwade broke the deadlock just before the hour mark, but it was quickly cancelled out by a Yuel Helufu free-kick.

Substitute Pennie put the Blues back in front with a composed finish beyond United goalkeeper Charlie Hardy, yet the home side responded five minutes later as Jaume Camacho-Sidos netted.

There was no winner in the time that remained, but we stay unbeaten in the competition.

Coming close

Although it was a quiet first half, the Blues enjoyed the better chances. Mathis Eboue came closest when his left-footed strike hit the post after being played through by a well-weighted pass from Isaac McGillvary.

Eboue was a real threat down the left flank, beating his marker on numerous occasions before playing a ball inside or taking on the shot himself.

Neither side was to get a foothold in the game in the opening exchanges, and Blues goalkeeper Toby Bell wasn’t forced into a save until the 20th minute, stopping a low-driven effort heading towards his bottom-right corner.

Despite flashes of brilliance down both wings and through the middle from Chelsea, the game was goalless at the break.

Pushing for the opener

We came racing out of the blocks in the second half, with Eboue leading the charge once more and fashioning a half-chance for the Blues.

The move started with Riley Ebho, who held onto possession well and found Grimwade down the line. He helped the ball onto McGillvary, who passed to Eboue. He drove toward the byline before playing a dangerous pass across the face of goal. Unfortunately, no blue shirt was there to meet the cross.

Our pressure paid off, though, as just before the hour mark, Isaac Badu won a free kick in a promising area, having wriggled inside from the right-hand flank.

Grimwade stepped up and produced a spectacular strike into the top left corner to break the deadlock.

It was Grimwade's second goal in as many matches in this competition. However, United equalised quickly as Helafu's long-range effort found the back of the net.

Back ahead

We responded, though. Pennie was introduced off the bench and made an immediate impact. A long ball was lofted over the top of United’s defence and into Pennie’s path, and he remained composed and guided a finish into the far corner to re-establish Chelsea’s lead.

Once again, Manchester United pulled a goal back within five minutes, this time through Camacho-Sidos. The Red Devils midfielder tucked the ball past Bell, and forced the Blues to settle for a draw.

What it means

The result takes us to four points in Group F, putting us in second position on goal difference.

What comes next?

Our Under-18s return to league action on Tuesday 13 October, when we face Reading at Bearwood Park Training Ground. The fixture kicks off at 2pm and can be watched live with a CFC+ subscription.

The teams

Chelsea: 1. Toby Bell; 2. Riley Ebho, 3. Dante Waite, 4. Jacob Hall, 5. Yisa Alao (15. Isago Silva 45); 6. Isaac Badu Da Silva, 8. Jacob Dako, 10. Isaac McGillvary (17. Eden Perez 72); 7. Heze Grimwade, 9. Jashayde Greenwood (16. Ibrahim Rabbaj 69), 11. Mathis Eboue (14. Andrew Pennie 52)
Unused subs: 13. Isaac Collinson, 12. Emmanuel Ayinde, 18. Gabriel Sambou
Goalscorers: Grimwade 57, Pennie 71

Manager: Dan Hogan

Manchester United: 1. Charlie Hardy; 2. Yuel Helafu, 3. Rafe McCormack, 4. Connor Laurie (14. Jayden Ngwashi 68’), 5. Jacob Watson; 6. Jay McEvoy, 8. Jariyah Shah (16. David Eze 68’), 10. Jaume Camacho-Sidos (15. Jacey Carrick 83’); 7. Junior Brown, 9. Kai Rooney (18. Harlem McLaughlin 77’), 11. Edson DeJonge-Seiros (17. Emmanuel Ziro 77)
Unused subs: 13. Zach Watson, 12. Samuel O’Brien
Goalscorers: Helafu 62, Camacho-Sidos 76
Booked: Ngwashi 89

Manager: Darren Fletcher