Key points
Manchester United’s under-21 side have a new challenge as the Premier League International Cup kicks-off.
Manchester United’s talented group of academy players have a chance to test themselves up against their European counterparts.
The Premier League International Cup group stages begin with Manchester United facing Hertha Berlin.
The competition pits the top 16 English under-21 teams from last season against 16 invited European clubs. Last season it was won by Crystal Palace.
United kick off with a home fixture against Hertha Berlin, being played at Salford’s Peninsula Stadium, and you can follow it live with United In Focus…
Full-time 1-1
Manchester United are held by Hertha Berlin after conceding a last minute penalty.
Zach Baumann scored the goal after a superb low shot which sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Hertha competed well and scored from a late spot-kick, to leave with a point.
[Link]Penalty to Hertha Berlin
A very harsh decision against Tyler Fletcher in injury time. Hertha have a penalty.
[Link]Biancheri is on
A final substitution sees Gabriele Biancheri on for Ethan Wheatley. United lead 1-0.
[Link]GOAL! 1-0 to Man Utd
Zach Baumann scores!
A swift breakaway move sees United break the deadlock.
Wheatley played the ball into Baumann who got a flick on from Ashton Missin, back into his path, and he disguised his shot to shoot low past the goalkeeper
[Link]Substitutions
Tyler Fletcher, Zach Baumann, Jack Moorhouse are coming on.
James Scanlon, Jayce Fitzgerald and Dan Gore make way.
That’s another hour in the bank for Gore as he steps up his recovery from injury.
[Link]Free-kick to United
Brilliant driving run from Dan Gore wins a free-kick on the edge of the box.
[Link]Save from Gracyzk
Hertha Berlin start the game well and almost score. Hubert Gracyzk pulls off a diving save.
[Link]Hertha almost score
A last ditch intervention from Louis Jackson prevents an almost certain goal after Hertha break through.
[Link]Wheatley goes close
United’s dangerman is clearly a threat. He has another effort which goes just wide.
[Link]Injury to Ethan Wheatley
Ethan Wheatley has sustained a shoulder injury and is being checked over by the medical staff.
He is OK to continue, but this will be one to monitor.
[Link]Almost a great start
Ethan Wheatley hits the post in the first minute, after a pass from James Scanlon. He will feel he probably should have scored.
[Link]James Scanlon one to watch
Manchester United whizkid James Scanlon should embrace this stage. He is already a senior international, with Gibraltar.
The 17-year-old netted four goals in a 9-0 win for the under-18s at the weekend, and this is a good challenge at a step up.
[Link]Ethan Wheatley gets the start
This is a great opportunity for Ethan Wheatley to showcase himself and make a claim for the first team.
While there is no Toby Collyer, who is with the first team, Wheatley and Amass have been made available.
Wheatley has five goals in five games for the under-21s this season, boosted by his hat-trick against Norwich in the last game.
There are also a handful of under-18s on the bench, including in-form Tyler Fletcher, Bendito Mantato and goal machine Gabriele Biancheri.
[Link]Line-ups confirmed
Here is a look at how Manchester United’s under-21 side will line-up…
Starters: Graczyk, Amass, Kingdon, Jackson, Kamason, Fitzgerald, Gore, Scanlon, Missin, Mather, Wheatley
Substitutes: Murdock, Moorhouse, Biancheri, Mantato, Baumann, T. Fletcher, Rowe
[Link]Good news!
While we wait on the Under-21 team news, let us update you on a major development.
Bruno Fernandes’ red card has been overturned and his three-game suspension has been wiped out.
[Link]
Look out for Dan Gore
One player with a strong chance to play is highly rated midfielder Dan Gore as he ramps up his recovery from injury.
Gore made his comeback in the EFL Trophy last week, and then provided an assist in the win over Norwich on Friday night.
[Link]Eyes on United selection
Team news will be with us shortly. Manchester United are expected to use this fixture to give experience to several up and coming stars.
Harry Amass, Ethan Wheatley and Toby Collyer’s possible involvement will be interesting, as each of them could be asked to travel with the first team to face Porto in the Europa League.
[Link]Key match details
Manchester United host the game at Salford’s Peninsula Stadium and the match is a 7pm kick-off.
The game is being broadcast on MUTV, while Hertha Berlin’s YouTube channel will also be showing the match.
[Link]Manchester United U21s vs Hertha Berlin
Welcome to our live blog for Manchester United under-21’s opening match of the Premier League International Cup.
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