The international break is almost over and Manchester United’s season is closer to getting underway.
One of the highlights will be the resumption of the academy season.
These young players have not played a competitive game since March. Now they can finally get back to doing what they enjoy.
The season starts as soon as Saturday for the under-18s, with an exciting opening fixture.
Under-18s set to return
United’s under-18s have an exciting opening fixture on Saturday (September 12) against Liverpool.
The match will be held at 11am at Carrington, and it could be the perfect way to kick off.
A week later United host Blackburn Rovers, then Burnley, before an away tie against Manchester City on October 3.
The team will take a different look to last season’s, with players stepping up to the under-23s.
Young talents like Zidane Iqbal and Shola Shoretire will be hoping to shine, while there should be good competition up front between Dillon Hoogewerf, Joe Hugill and Mateo Mejia.
Under-23s face testing season
United’s under-23 season begins on Monday afternoon at 2pm away against Leicester City (September 14).
The next match is on September 25 at home to Liverpool, in a 7pm Friday night kick-off at Leigh Sports Village.
These first two matches will be followed up in October with matches away at Blackburn and at home to Arsenal.
United’s under-23s are going through a spell of transition, with a talented young group from the under-18s stepping up, with Anthony Elanga and Hannibal Mejbri set for key roles.
The team were promoted this past season, and so the step up will be a challenge in itself.
Then take away last season’s regular goalkeeper, Matej Kovar, who is out on loan, and possibly send Dylan Levitt and James Garner out too, and it could be tough at first.
The under-23s are currently lacking a striker, with D’Mani Mellor suffering an ACL injury at the start of August.
But first….
The club’s academy players will be in action as soon as Wednesday night (September 9).
This will be in the EFL Trophy against Salford City, an away game at the Peninsula Stadium at 7.45pm.
United’s under-21s (as the competition rules dictate) won all three group stage games last season.
It will likely be tougher this time around, after a lack of competitive action over the past few months, but this is a good test for the youngsters, and a useful tune-up for the league season ahead.
It may be another chance for the likes of James Garner to put themselves in the shop window for loan deals.
United also have a League Cup fixture to be played away at Reading or Luton in the week beginning September 21.
A few of the young players may be targeting a first team opportunity if they can make a strong early impression.
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