UEFA issue Youth League statement

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to upset the Academy schedule and the prestigious home tie in the round of 64, which was due to be played early next month, will now no longer take place. The news will, no doubt, come as a disappointment to the staff and players at the Aon Training Complex even if it is understandable in the circumstances.

UEFA's statement read: "The UEFA Executive Committee has decided to cancel the 2020/21 edition of the UEFA Youth League due to the Covid-19 pandemic and its effects on the staging of competitions.

“The committee had initially decided last year to amend the format of the competition and to delay its start, but the various measures imposed by health authorities around Europe have continued to evolve since then. The travelling restrictions affecting participating clubs create major difficulties for organising their matches and two clubs have already withdrawn from the competition.

"The UEFA Executive Committee stressed that there is no possibility to further postpone the start of the competition and that the health and safety of youth players must be given highest possible priority.

“Regrettably, the conditions to restart this international youth competition are not met in the current circumstances and both the UEFA Club Competitions Committee and the European Club Association were consulted and supported the idea to exceptionally cancel this season’s UEFA Youth League.”

United's FA Youth Cup campaign has also been placed on hold due to the virus, although there is hope it will be resumed, while the Under-18 Premier League has continued.