Predicted Manchester United UEFA Youth League line-up v Dortmund, kick-off time, how to watch

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Manchester United are in action in the UEFA Youth League tonight in a knockout last 16 match against Borussia Dortmund.

United have home advantage for the one-off tie, which takes place at Leigh Sports Village at 8pm.

This is a real test for United’s youngsters and midfielder Charlie Savage has described it as the highlight of the players’ season.

Savage told the club website: “I think it’s the pinnacle of our season really. Dortmund is a tough game. It’s great to play against different teams from different countries. It’s a different challenge, but a challenge we embrace.

“This is our first go at the Youth League as a set of players. We didn’t play in it last year [due to COVID-19] or the year before, and a cup’s always nice, so hopefully we can win.”

Predicted XI

United are without a couple of regulars fro the stars who helped the team get through the group stages. Centre-back Teden Mengi has been sent out on loan and will not feature.

Anthony Elanga is now part of Manchester United’s first team and the club website has suggested he won’t be dropping down to play in this under-19s competition.

The under-19s tournament often makes for a hybrid of under-23 and under-18s regulars, although United’s 23s are a pretty young group.

Here is a look at how we predict the young side could line up. There is real competition for places in the midfield and forward areas, with Zidane Iqbal missing out in our predicted XI. We have gone with Will Fish replacing Teden Mengi at centre-back, although it could be Rhys Bennett.

And while they don’t feature in our line-up, Isak Hansen-Aaroen, Kobbie Mainoo and Charlie Wellens are also in the mix.

How to watch

The match will be shown live on MUTV with the broadcast starting at 7.45pm. The game is also set to be shown live on BT Sport.

How United got here

United’s young team won five out of six games in the group stages. These included 1-0 and 2-1 wins over Young Boys, and 4-2 and 2-1 victories against Atalanta.

Villarreal did inflict a 4-1 defeat on United, before the young Red Devils won the return game 2-1.

United’s group stage goals were spread around, scored by Shola Shoretire (2), Charlie McNeill (2), Alejandro Garnacho (2), Anthony Elanga, , Alvaro Fernandez, Joe Hugill, Zidane Iqbal, , Sam Mather, and Omari Forson.