United's FA Youth Cup tie postponed
Manchester United's FA Youth Cup tie at Salford City on Wednesday night has been postponed as the competition has been halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Neil Ryan's side have been preparing for the third-round clash, our first Under-18s fixture of 2021, but it will now be staged at a later date. The match at the Peninsula Stadium was scheduled to be shown live on MUTV in the UK and Ireland.
The Football Association said in a statement: "We can confirm our decision to temporarily suspend the 2020-21 FA Youth Cup and have discussed this with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and the competing clubs.
“The health and wellbeing of players and staff are of paramount importance and we intend to resume the national competition once the UK Government’s current national COVID-19 lockdown concludes and it is deemed safer for clubs to travel.
“The FA Youth Participation & Development Committee, which is responsible for management of the competition, will continue to review the situation and we will provide further updates at the earliest opportunity."
United last lifted the trophy in 2011 but reached the sem-finals last term before being knocked out 1-0 by Chelsea, at St George's Park in October, after the tie was delayed due to the virus forcing a first national lockdown.
Following several acquisitions in the summer, the team has performed well in the Under-18 Premier League this season and currently lead the northern division.
We will provide further updates in due course.