United discover EFL Trophy opponents
The draw has been made for the EFL Trophy group stages with Manchester United's Under-21s entering the Vertu-sponsored competition again.
Travis Binnion's side will expect to gain valuable experience playing away in each of the three ties against senior opposition from the Football League, with the fixtures to be announced at a later date.
Traditionally backed by a sizeable travelling following, the Reds will hope to clinch a top-two slot that will ensure qualification for the knockout stages.
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United were the penultimate ball out of the hat for the northern section and placed in Group D.
That means games against League One pair Barnsley and Lincoln City, plus League Two side Notts County, who lost in the play-offs last term, which should provide plenty of entertainment and tough tests for the Reds.
Peterborough Untied are the current holders after retaining the trophy last season.
There is also a full southern section to the competition but this will not affect our youngsters until deeper into the knockout stages, when the regionality is removed.
NORTHERN SECTION:
Group A: Salford City, Stockport County, Wigan Athletic, Wolves U21.
Group B: Barrow, Blackpool, Tranmere Rovers, Nottingham Forest U21.
Group C: Bradford City, Doncaster Rovers, Grimsby Town, Everton U21.
Group D: Barnsley, Lincoln City, Notts County, UNITED U21.
Group E: Bolton Wanderers, Oldham Athletic, Rotherham United, Manchester City U21.
Group F: Harrogate Town, Huddersfield Town, Mansfield Town, Newcastle United U21.
Group G: Accrington Stanley, Fleetwood Town, Port Vale, Leeds United U21.
Group H: Burton Albion, Chesterfield, Crewe Alexandra, Liverpool U21.