Academy Briefing: U18s in live action

The young Reds have won all seven of our games so far this season in the U18 Premier League and are also looking ahead to the second leg of our UEFA Youth League second-round tie against Lithuanian youth champions FK Zalgiris. Adam Lawrence's side won the first leg 5-2.

Travis Binnion's Under-21s, meanwhile, are also in action this weekend after a busy recent schedule including a league victory on the road and an exciting challenge at home to Dutch opposition.

All the details are below in our regular briefing...

WATCH THE UNDER-18s LIVE

MUTV subscribers can watch our Under-18s' away fixture with Leeds United on Saturday. Coverage will begin five minutes before the midday kick-off.

The U21s' match at Sunderland cannot be broadcast live due to Premier League broadcasting restrictions. A report will be available later on Saturday, with highlights to follow.

U21s HELD BY PSV

A late Gabriele Biancheri penalty earned Binnion's side a point against a tough PSV Eindhoven team in the Premier League International Cup on Wednesday night.

The U21s came into this second fixture in the competition having been held to a 1-1 draw by Hertha Berlin in our first, played at Salford City's Peninsula Stadium at the start of October.

This time at Leigh Sports Village, the Reds started off well, dominating early possession and threatening first as Chido Obi-Martin and Ethan Ennis linked up.

PSV took the lead, however, when Isaac Babadi pounced on Dermot Mee's clearance and finished clinically. While United pushed hard for a leveller, the Dutch visitors defended resolutely until Biancheri drew a foul inside the area and converted the subsequent spot-kick.

With two draws from the opening two games, United have laid down decent foundations on which to build. We currently sit fourth in the eight-team Group B, made up of four English sides and four continental sides. We host Sparta Prague on Saturday 7 December (13:00) and Nordsjaelland on Tuesday 21 January (19:00).

FITZGERALD'S LANDMARK MOMENT

Congratulations to Jayce Fitzgerald, who was part of a senior matchday squad for the first time in United's 5-2 victory over Leicester City on Wednesday. Interim head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy said this to MUTV post-match:

"It was fantastic to have him today in the dressing room. I asked him what his feelings were and he was proud and [he said] it was a dream come true.

"He is a 17-year-old lad, doing really well in the academy like Jack Fletcher, Harry Amass and Ethan Wheatley as well. They are gaining experience in training sessions and are also close around the team for games like this.

"For them, it is fantastic; for their development, even more."

Jayce's inclusion, alongside another seven Academy graduates, marked 87 years with an Academy graduate in every United matchday squad. It's a remarkable record that stretches across more than 4,250 games.

COMING UP

Both the U18s and U21s are in action on Saturday, with both teams kicking off at midday. You can watch the younger team live on MUTV, while the U21s' fixture at Sunderland cannot be shown live due to Premier League broadcasting restrictions. Look out for a report later on Saturday, with highlights to follow. 

MUTV info at a glance

Saturday 2 November | Sunderland v UNITED U21s | 12:00 | Not live on MUTV (PL broadcasting restrictions)

Saturday 2 November | Leeds v UNITED U18s | 12:00 | Live on MUTV

Wednesday 6 November | UNITED U19s v FK Zalgiris | 19:00 | Not live on MUTV (UEFA broadcasting restrictions)

Saturday 9 November | UNITED U18s v Everton | 11:00 | Live on MUTV

Tuesday 12 November | Huddersfield Town v UNITED U21s | 19:00 | Not live on MUTV (Live on Sky Sports+)

All times listed in GMT.