Academy Briefing: In-form U18s in Europe

MIDWEEK EUROPEAN CHALLENGE

Fans are encouraged to show their support for our Under-19s on Wednesday night as we host FK Zalgiris, Lithuanian champions at this level, in the second leg of the UEFA Youth League second round.

The 19:00 GMT kick-off at Leigh Sports Village sees Adam Lawrence’s United side start with a three-goal advantage, having triumphed 5-2 in Vilnius a fortnight ago.

Gabriele Biancheri and Ethan Williams scored doubles in the Lithuanian capital, with the fifth coming from James Scanlon during a frenetic final few minutes which provided Zalgiris with some hope going into the second leg, thanks to their two goals.

Should United progress, we look likely to then face AZ Alkmaar, winners of the competition in 2022/23, who currently hold a 4-1 lead over Norwegian outfit Stromsgodset.

The winners of that third-round tie will progress into the Youth League knockouts proper, where the ‘domestic champions path’ and the ‘Champions League path’ will meet.

Tickets are available via Leigh Sports Village here (£3 adults, £1 U16s and 65+).

EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES FOR YOUNG SIDES

While United’s senior youth teams were in action on the road on Saturday, some of the club’s younger sides were away from Carrington for unique opportunities part of ‘A United Education’, the Academy’s industry-leading programme.

The Under-12s visited the Imperial War Museum North, a stone’s throw from Old Trafford, as part of their annual Christmas Truce Tournament project.

The Premier League-wide education-led competition sees clubs across the division participate in regional tournaments, the winners of which travel to Ypres, Belgium later in the year for a continental challenge. However, it’s not only those succeeding on the pitch who qualify, but those whose education programmes are outstanding.

The young players learn about the Christmas Truce, when soldiers on either side of World War One enjoyed a rare amnesty on Christmas Day 1914 and played football in no man’s land.

Volunteers at IWM North brought the Truce to life for the young Reds, who have also spent time at UA92’s immersive igloo room, to gain some experience of what life in the trenches was like. They also visited the Trafford Veterans society to speak to those who have served in the Armed Forces and learn from their past.

The Under-13s, meanwhile, were at Ashton-on-Mersey School to continue learning about the Munich Air Disaster. Roy Cavanagh MBE, a United fan and prolific author on the club’s history, spoke to the lads about his memories of Munich, having been a young boy in Salford at the time.

UNDER-18s WIN AT LEEDS

United’s Under-18s put in another assertive performance to extend their winning streak at the start of this season to eight consecutive league games.

Amir Ibragimov and James Scanlon both scored hat-tricks in an 8-0 beating of rivals Leeds United at their Thorp Arch training ground. Bendito Mantato and Victor Musa scored the other goals. You can watch highlights below.

United have now scored a remarkable 40 goals in these first eight games, conceding only four times, and sit top of the U18 Premier League.

UNDER-21s DEFEATED AT SUNDERLAND

Our Under-21s endured a difficult day on the road as they came out on the wrong side of an entertaining seven-goal encounter with Sunderland, going down 5-2.

Jack Fletcher and Gabriele Biancheri scored United’s two goals in a performance that left lessons to be learned, according to lead coach Travis Binnion.

“Some of these players are learning on the job and that’s what it’s there for,” he said.

“The Under-21s level is very different to Under-18s football, when the opposition do it right, when they play with tempo and intensity. Sunderland did that, so credit to them and [there was] plenty to learn for our boys today.”

Defeat leaves United with a record of four wins and four losses from eight games thus far this season in Premier League 2. A dozen points ensures Binnion’s team sit 13th in the 26-team division, which culminates in a 16-team end-of-season knockout competition to determine the ultimate winner.

COMING UP

As mentioned, the U19s host Zalgiris at Leigh Sports Village on Wednesday night. Fans can find tickets (£3 adults, £1 kids and over-65s) here for the 19:00 GMT kick-off. As the game clashes with senior UEFA Champions League fixtures, it cannot be shown live on MUTV, but club media will be present to provide live updates on ManUtd.com and the United App, with highlights to follow once broadcasting restrictions are lifted.

Later in the week, Lawrence’s team host Everton, live on MUTV, hoping to extend our 100 per cent record in the league.

MUTV info at a glance

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.