Under-21s ready for Old Trafford outing

Tickets for this clash are still available to purchase, but they must be bought in advance of the fixture. You can get yours here.

Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 GMT and United are looking for a win this time out, having been held to a 0-0 draw against AC Sparta Prague's Under-21s at the end of October, in Altrincham.

Most recently, the Reds were on the wrong side of a disappointing defeat in the Manchester derby, falling to a 6-1 loss to Man City at Leigh Sports Village last Saturday.

United started that match in scintillating fashion, taking the lead through Rhys Bennett's early header, but Mark Dempsey will surely be hoping his team can maintain that intensity during the whole 90 minutes this time out.

Of course, the venue will help with that, with Old Trafford playing host to this highly anticipated match-up. The Theatre of Dreams, under the lights, is the perfect setting for when two of the most exciting youth teams in Europe go toe-to-toe.

Dempsey will surely be looking for a reaction from his team after that match against City, and Friday's test against Monaco will provide a different challenge to those that his players are challenged with in the Premier League 2.

He will also be keen to see some consistency from the Reds, who have experienced fluctuating performances and results in the opening few months of the 2022/23 campaign.

Of course, with Sparta Prague currently sitting atop Group B, United can take confidence from that 0-0 draw with them, and look to build on it when Monaco visit Manchester this Friday.

But the visitors, having not played a single group match so far, will also be eager to get their own competition off to a winning start.

With the six group winners and two best runners-up going through to the knockout phase, three points is of the utmost importance.

Following the Monaco clash, the Reds will take on PSV Under-21s, who have just one point from two games. Dempsey will no doubt hope to have four points on the board by the time this match comes around, doing so by beating Monaco at the Theatre of Dreams this week.

GET YOUR TICKETS

You can still buy tickets for our Under-21s' match against Monaco, subject to availability.

Tickets are £1 and must be booked in advance to be permitted for entry.

Get yours here.