Academy Briefing: Fixture changes

The game, which was due to be shown live on MUTV on Saturday morning, will now be played on Tuesday 18 February at 19:00 GMT.

Our Under-21s will still be in action this weekend. Find out information on their upcoming fixture and another cup victory for Travis Binnion’s side in our regular Briefing below.

And don’t forget, our U19s play at Old Trafford next week. The young Reds have put in some thrilling performances over the last 18 months and now look to come from 2-1 behind in the second leg of their UEFA Youth League third-round tie with AZ Alkmaar.

Tickets are £3 for adults and £1.50 for kids. If you can attend on Tuesday 10 December (19:00), your support will be greatly appreciated and you might be watching the next United star! Buy your tickets now.

UNDER-21s NOTCH THIRD CUP WIN

United retained top spot in Group B of the National League Cup with a third consecutive victory in the competition, thanks to Amir Ibragimov’s excellent 82nd-minute strike.

The young Reds had triumphed 3-2 at Forest Green Rovers and 4-0 at Altrincham in the tournament’s inaugural season already, and had to work hard to maintain our 100 per cent record in front of a 3,681-strong crowd at Rochdale’s Crown Oil Arena.

Travis Binnion’s side had dominated periods of the match but were unable to convert the few clear-cut chances that came our way, until space opened up for Ibragimov to shoot from the area’s edge.

United are in an excellent position going into our final group-stage game in late January, at Oldham Athletic. With nine points from three games, Binnion’s charges know a good result at Boundary Park will seal passage into the knockout stages.

SPARTA PRAGUE UP NEXT

The variety of the Academy’s games programme is shown in full this December, as the Professional Development Phase (U17-U21) compete in all of the U18 Premier League, Premier League 2, UEFA Youth League, National League Cup and Premier League International Cup within a fortnight.

Up next for our U21s is a test against Czech side Sparta Prague in the latter competition. United have drawn both prior games, against Hertha Berlin and PSV Eindhoven, and so probably require victories from the remaining two games to finish in the top two of the eight-team Group C.

Saturday lunchtime’s (12:00 GMT) game will be played at Carrington, with no other suitable venues available on the date. Unfortunately, the game cannot be shown live on MUTV as it’s a Premier League-affiliated competition and there is a senior Premier League fixture at the same time.

GODWILL KUKONKI FEATURES IN SENIOR SQUAD

Congratulations to 16-year-old Godwill Kukonki, who was named in United’s senior matchday squad in Wednesday’s Premier League fixture at Arsenal.

Head coach Ruben Amorim said: “He's 16 years old, but he impressed me a lot. It's also a sign for our youth players that they can be here. If something happens with the first-team squad, they have to step up. I think he's ready, he’s very adult and he’s ready to handle the demands of the Premier League.”

TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR U19s AT OLD TRAFFORD

Old Trafford will host our UEFA Youth League third round second leg against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar on Tuesday 10 December (19:00 GMT).

Academy staff and players would love to see a strong crowd in attendance and will appreciate any support. Tickets are available here, £3 for adults and £1.50 for kids.

MUTV INFO AT A GLANCE

Saturday 7 December | U21s v Sparta Prague | Carrington | 12:00 | Not live, clash with senior PL fixture

Tuesday 10 December | U19s v AZ Alkmaar | Old Trafford | 19:00 | Not live, clash with senior UEFA fixtures | Tickets here

Saturday 14 December | U21s v Southampton | Carrington | 12:00 | Live on MUTV

Wednesday 18 December | U18s v Coventry | Leigh Sports Village | 19:00 | Live on MUTV

All times listed in GMT.