United name squad for Dutch tournament
Manchester United will be taking a 17-man squad to the Netherlands for the ICGT competition.
The tournament is for players born in 1999 or later and allows the opportunity to end the campaign on a high before the close-season break, even if the main priority is competing against different styles of opposition rather than lifting the trophy.
Under-23s coach Ricky Sbragia is in charge of the travelling party, which includes 16-year-old striker Mason Greenwood and two Dutchmen in Millen Baars and Tahith Chong.
"I am from 10 minutes away from there and half an hour away from Amsterdam," Baars told ManUtd.com. "I know the local team [Uitgeest] very well as a few guys from my old school are with them. I know a few players from AZ Alkmaar too and some from Volendam."
Forward Zak Dearnley feels the trip is a chance to enjoy a real boost after a difficult season for the side at Reserves level.
"The boys are all looking forward to the tournament," he told ManUtd.com. "Obviously, it's been a disappointing season but there's a chance now to go to Holland.
"I think everyone is up for it and we'll try to get something out of it. We want to finish the season on a high and this is a good opportunity to win silverware. We want to do that and I'm looking forward to it.
"We have some good attacking talent in the squad and a few young lads as well so it's mixed. It's always good to have that balance to the team and there will be good bonding time for the lads who have not seen each other as much as some of us throughout the season.
"We don't get to play teams like Palmeiras every week, so it's great experience to do that. We all know Real Madrid are in the other group but it's good to play the other teams as well, not just Real potentially."
United kick things off on Saturday against Uitgeest, before meeting Palmeiras and AZ Alkmaar. The other group contains Volendam, Real Madrid, Red Bull Brasil and NEC/FC Oss. The closing stages of the tournament take place on Monday.
United squad: Alex Fojticek, Matej Kovar; Max Dunne, Luca Ercolani, Lee O'Connor, George Tanner, Ro-Shaun Williams; Callum Gribbin, Ethan Hamilton, Tom Sang, Callum Whelan; Millen Baars, Indy Boonen, Nishan Burkart, Tahith Chong, Zak Dearnley, Mason Greenwood.