Academy Briefing: Young Reds travel to Lithuania

UNDER-19s READY FOR EUROPEAN CHALLENGE

Victory at Stamford Bridge back in May secured United’s U18s the national league title and with it a place in the ‘domestic champions path’ of the UEFA Youth League.

The competition began in 2011 and pits the very best players in the continent up against each other with the intensity of knock-out football. The developmental benefits are clear, with Academy graduates like Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo having learned how to travel abroad and play at their best in the Youth League. In addition, it offers a chance for young players to see new parts of the world and understand how to best represent United as club ambassadors.

That will be the case this week as the Under-19s travel to Lithuania, a country in which United’s first team have never previously played. The young Reds opposition are FK Zalgiris, the 10-time Lithuanian champions whose youth team defeated Welsh outfit The New Saints in the first round.

While the game cannot be shown live due to broadcasting restrictions — UEFA Champions League matches are being played simultaneously — MUTV will travel with the team to provide coverage and highlights, at a later date, on Wednesday’s match (17:00 BST kick-off).

This is a two-legged tie, with the return fixture to be played at Leigh Sports Village on Wednesday 6 November (19:00 GMT).

Should we progress, the U19s will face the winner of AZ Alkmaar vs Strømsgodset in the third round. The winner of that tie will be entered into the Round of 32, at which points teams from the ‘domestic champions path’ come up against those in the other half of the competition, which mirrors the UEFA Champions League in teams, fixtures and format.

Fans can attend the away leg by purchasing tickets here. Enter the code 'ManchesterUnitedFans' to find tickets in the 'RE' sector, designated for travelling fans.

Good luck to our Under-19s out in Lithuania!

LIFEBLOOD: CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN

With unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to Manchester United’s world-famous Academy, the fourth feature film in MUTV’s ground-breaking Lifeblood series reveals how the club’s young players ‘climb the mountain’ towards the first-team and gives access-all-areas to the record-breaking 2023/24 season, in which the Under-18s won three trophies.

Released on Friday to MUTV subscribers, ‘Lifeblood: Climbing the Mountain’ follows earlier instalments in the series which lifted the lid on how history, innovation and commitment to developing people define the Academy’s philosophy and day-to-day activities.

The latest 45-minute documentary shows viewers exactly how the Academy pathway works, starting with a memorable day at Old Trafford when the young Reds, aged nine, officially sign for the club and ending, for some, with that special moment they step back on to the pitch at the Theatre of Dreams for their senior debut.

Stars past and present feature, with former-club captain Gary Neville seen giving a talk to the Under-9s on their first day at United, defender Jonny Evans welcoming them to Old Trafford and striker Ethan Wheatley shown in the days building up to and after his April debut. Wheatley became the 250th Academy graduate when he came on as a substitute against Sheffield United and it’s this remarkable record, demonstrating United’s near-century-old commitment to youth, which Lifeblood celebrates.

U18s WIN AT SUNDERLAND

A fantastic late outside-of-the-box strike from Jim Thwaites saw our Under-18s come out on top in a seven-goal thriller at Sunderland on Saturday. Bendito Mantato had scored twice early on for the young Reds before goals were traded to leave the game level at 3-3. Thwaites struck with only three minutes remaining of normal time as United maintained our 100 per cent record this season, with six games played. Samuel Lusale and Chido Obi-Martin made their debuts at this level after recently joining as first-year scholars.

United: Murdock; Kamason, Armer, Munro (c) (Mills 63),  Kukonki; Baumann, Fitzgerald; Mantato, Ibragimov (Thwaites 70), Lusale (Lacey 46); Musa (Obi-Martin 63).

United scorers: Mantato 18, 25, Holcroft (og) 48, Thwaites 87.

JACK FLETCHER NAMED IN FIRST SENIOR SQUAD

Erik ten Hag named midfielder Jack Fletcher in a senior matchday squad for the first time on Saturday as Brentford visited Old Trafford in the Premier League.

Son of United legend Darren, Jack joined the Academy from Manchester City last year along with twin brother, Tyler. He then signed his professional contract in April, shortly after his 17th birthday.

"Jack’s doing very well," said Ten Hag. "He was with us on the [pre-season] tour and is progressing very well, but [being in the squad] is also to do with injuries we have in midfield.

"[Jack] is coming and developing very well. He will get inspiration from [being in the squad], but he has to be ready, because when you’re on the bench, you can be picked and you have to contribute. We are confident he can do it."

U18s WEAR NO ROOM FOR RACISM ARMBAND

United’s Academy players were recently tasked with designing a captain’s armband as part of the Premier League’s No Room for Racism campaign. Young Liam from the club’s Under-9s team won the competition and his armband was produced ready to be worn by Under-18s captain Reece Munro in Saturday lunchtime’s game at Sunderland.

Liam's coach, Imran Hamid, was nominated as United's 'No Room for Racism icon' to highlight the contribution of Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in football and showcase the importance of diversity on and off the pitch.

We proudly endorse the @PremierLeague's #NoRoomForRacism campaign ❤️

United's U9s coach, Imran Hamid, is our nominated icon as a shining light within the #MUAcademy 🌟#MUFC pic.twitter.com/NsnUXrOwx9

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 18, 2024

COMING UP

Our Under-19s travel to Vilnius, Lithuania for the UEFA Youth League second round first leg against FK Zalgiris. Kick-off is at 17:00 BST on Wednesday evening. While the game cannot. be shown live due to broadcasting restrictions, team news and updates can be found on ManUtd.com and the United App, with goals and highlights to be shown on MUTV at a later date.

The Under-21s are at Newcastle, with the game moved to the Magpies' Academy ground, starting at 12:00 BST on Saturday, after initially being scheduled for Friday night.

The U18s return to England to host Nottingham Forest and also play on Saturday, with the midday kick-off shown live on MUTV. Subscribe now to watch.

MUTV INFO AT A GLANCE

Wednesday 23 October | FK Zalgiris v UNITED U19s | 17:00 | Not live on MUTV (UEFA broadcasting restrictions)
Friday 25 October | Newcastle United v UNITED U21s | 19:00 | Not live on MUTV (Premier League broadcasting restrictions)
Saturday 26 October | UNITED U18s v Nottingham Forest | 12:00 | Live on MUTV
Wednesday 30 October | UNITED U21s v PSV Eindhoven | 19:00 | Not live on MUTV (Clashes with men’s first team v Leicester City)
Saturday 2 November | Sunderland v UNITED U21s | 12:00 | Not live on MUTV
Saturday 2 November | Leeds v UNITED U18s | 12:00 | Live on MUTV