Sunderland U21s coach explains why Manchester United loanee and other first-team players started Leeds match

Nine senior players started for the young Black Cats during the 1-0 defeat, including new signings Edouard Michut, Abdoullah Ba, Jewison Bennette and Manchester United loanee Amad.

Bailey Wright captained the side, while Dennis Cirkin, who has recently returned from a hamstring injury, Trai Hume, Jay Matete and Leon Dajaku also started for the hosts.

Murty was only named Sunderland’s new Head of Professional Development Phase last week but enjoyed his first game in the dugout, despite the result.

“The game was moved to the stadium and we’ve had numerous first-team players dropped into it against the side who are top of the table and playing really, really well,” Murty told the Echo after the Premier League 2, Division 2, fixture.

“I loved it and thought as a football match it was exactly what the first team wanted when they got that amount of numbers dropped into the team and I’m really pleased with their application.

“I’m disappointed with the result but I can’t fault the way they want about their business.”

Sunderland didn’t make any substitutions during the match as their senior players were given a chance to impress.

“As long as they could get through it the lads need minutes,” replied Murty when asked if that was always the plan. “We had the 21s ready to go on if there was anything needed or there were any issues.

“The idea is when senior players drop in to give them as many minutes as they can handle and I thought they went about it properly and it was a really good game of football.”

Sunderland’s under-21s side will now prepare for Friday’s Premier League Cup match against Reading, with several changes expected.

“I’ve just said to them if the manager is going to drop senior players in again your job is to impress him that much on Friday that he thinks of your name when he looks at his team sheet,” Murty added.

“That way if he comes to drop senior players in it’s not in your position. That’s the challenge that they have and a challenge that should always be at a big club.”