Barcelona fixture arranged for United youngsters
Manchester United have arranged an Under-19s game against Barcelona to coincide with the first team’s Europa League fixture.
The Reds will take on Barca’s youngsters in a behind-closed-doors game at their training ground, Ciutat Esportiva, on Thursday 16 February in what will be an excellent experience for the Professional Development Phase (PDP) group.
The fixture is the latest in a number of enhancements made to supplement the Academy games programme, which seeks to provide each player with the optimum development platform.
The chance to face top European opposition helps replicate first-team football and it increases the variety of experiences our players are exposed to during their time in the Academy.
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The players will then have the opportunity to watch the first-team game at the Nou Camp that evening before returning to Manchester.
PDP players have faced European opposition in the Premier League International Cup this season with United hosting Feyenoord, PSV and Sparta Prague.
The group travelled to Germany for a pre-season training camp at Adidas HQ before playing against Bayern Munich.
Meanwhile, at Carrington, the Bundesliga champions' Under-18s side were hosted by United as they took part in the second ‘Summer Tournament’ alongside Crystal Palace and Dundee United. The group also returned to Germany for an indoor football tournament last month.
Domestically the group reached the third round of the Papa Johns Trophy beating Barrow, Carlisle United and Fleetwood Town in the group stage.
Head of Academy, Nick Cox, said: “We are always looking to innovate and provide world-class experiences for our players. We have arranged this fixture to enhance our existing games programme, supplement our volume of fixtures and expose players to the types of experiences that they will have should they reach our first team. Steve Higham and his team have done excellent work in this area arranging world-class experiences for our players across various age groups.
“Coming up against a team of this quality is an amazing opportunity but the boys will also learn what it means to represent Manchester United in Europe.
“Playing in a different environment, a new stadium, maybe a different climate and against an alternative style of play is all part of their learning and development process. We’re all really looking forward to the game and benefits it will provide to the group.”
Please note that fans will not be able to attend this fixture.