United Academy set for key game in Belgrade

It has been an emotional trip for the staff and players as special events were held to mark the 60th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster in the build-up to the clash against the Serbian youth champions.

On Monday, a special reception was held at the Hotel Majestic, where Sir Matt Busby's Babes enjoyed their last meal together before the fateful flight, which was rerouted to Munich. A menu signed by the players and photograph of the dinner are still on display and the room still had the splendour of yesteryear.

Vladica Popovic, now 82, played for Red Star in that historic match against United and was one of the VIPs at Monday's event, which featured emotional speeches from United Academy staff Tony Whelan and Dave Bushell. Another ex-Red Star man, Dan Tana, also a former owner of Brentford Football Club in London, spoke about his remarkable careers in football and the film industry. He chatted with the widow of the late United goalkeeper and coach Jack Crompton - Sheila is a special guest of the party that travelled from Manchester.

On Tuesday, a minute's silence was held at the Partizan Stadium with Under-19s captain Ro-Shaun Williams laying a wreath on the centre-circle and everybody taking time to remember those who lost their lives at the scene of the final match for the Babes, a 3-3 draw against Red Star Belgrade that secured progress in the European Cup.

Nicky Butt and the squad visited the museum at the ground before heading across the city to the Stadion Shopping Center in Vozdovac - an enclosed artificial 3G pitch, to train and become accustomed to the surface.

There is no Tahith Chong, as the in-form winger is still being treated carefully after his knee operation. Luca Ercolani and Aidan Barlow are unavailable and keeper Ilias Moutha-Sebtaoui is still absent.

Brodarac overcame Maccabi Haifa and Saburtalo to reach this stage and are reckoned to be an uncompromising team, that performs well as a unit with a strong defence.

The tie must be decided on the night, with extra-time and penalties if required, as the victors go through to the round of 16 in the UEFA Youth League.

Kick-off is at 18:30 local time (17:30 GMT) and MUTV are showing highlights of the encounter at 23:00 GMT.