Manchester United will be in the hat for the EFL Vertu Trophy draw on Thursday afternoon.
Travis Binnion's Under-21s always enjoy the competition provided by pitting themselves against senior opponents and it should be no different in 2025/26.
We will be ball number five in the northern side of the draw, as one of 16 Premier League clubs involved, with proceedings taking place around 14:30 BST, live on Sky Sports News.
Consideration is given to reducing travel time at this stage, with the ties starting in September. The top two from each group progress, with a penalty shootout being staged after any draws, and a bonus point up for grabs.
Below are the groups already drawn out, with United, and the other top-flight Academies, being allocated a spot in one of them on Thursday.
NORTHERN SECTION:
Group A: Salford City, Stockport County, Wigan Athletic.
Group B: Barrow, Blackpool, Tranmere Rovers.
Group C: Bradford City, Doncaster Rovers, Grimsby Town.
Group D: Barnsley, Lincoln City, Notts County.
Group E: Bolton Wanderers, Oldham Athletic, Rotherham United.
Group F: Harrogate Town, Huddersfield Town, Mansfield Town.
Group G: Accrington Stanley, Fleetwood Town, Port Vale.
Group H: Burton Albion, Chesterfield, Crewe Alexandra.
BALL NUMBERS
1: Everton U21s
2: Leeds United U21s
3: Liverpool U21s
4: Manchester City U21s
5: UNITED U21s
6: Newcastle United U21s
7: Nottingham Forest U21s
8: Wolves U21s