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The Premier League and the National League have announced that they have teamed up to launch a new cup competition.
Named the National League Cup, the competition will kick off next month consisting of 16 Premier League 2 sides and 16 National League first teams.
Similar to the EFL Trophy, the competition will expose United’s young academy players to the physical demands of senior football.
Split into four groups of eight, United will only face off against the four National League clubs in their group and not against the other U21 sides.
With only two teams advancing from each group, there will be little margin for error if the young Reds are to move onto the quarter-finals.
Split by region, United’s opponents will be Altrincham, Forest Green Rovers, Oldham Athletic and Rochdale.
Such is the success of United’s output from the academy, every match will mark a reunion with a former United academy product.
Max Haygarth recently joined Altrincham having departed United in 2021. Meanwhile Charlie McCann is flying for Forest Green Rovers this season with three goals from midfield already.
Additionally, Otis Khan is with Oldham Athletic and Aidan Barlow is at Rochdale.
With the matches all taking place at the National League club grounds, the trip to Altrincham will bring many supporters down memory lane with the J Davidson Stadium previously used as a home ground for United’s U21s before they moved to Leigh Sports Village.
Speaking on the new competition, the Chief Football Officer of the Premier League, Tony Scholes, said, “The competition will provide additional opportunities for young players in the under 17-21 age groups to gain valuable experience of playing against First Team opposition, something many of our current Premier League stars have experienced in their development.”
The fixture details have yet to be released but the matchday rounds are to take place on the following dates.
Group stage
Match round 1: 1-2 October 2024
Match round 2: 5-6 November 2024
Match round 3: 3-4 December 2024
Match round 4: 21-22 January 2025
Knockout rounds
Quarter-finals: 5-6 February 2025
Semi-finals: 11-12 March 2025
Final: 1-2 April 2025
While it is known where the matches will be played, it is as of yet unknown how non-local fans will be able to tune into the matches.
A hot topic amongst United academy followers in recent weeks, there has been growing furore among the fanbase regarding the lack of coverage of the famed youth teams.
Having the most famous academy system in the world and with the U18s clinching a treble last time out, supporters were excited to witness the young stars in action this time out.
However, they have been left in the dark with only two of eight U18 and U21 fixtures being broadcast on MUTV so far with both age groups matches this weekend also not being shown.
With the additional fixtures added by the National League Cup, fans can only hope that the competition won’t only be a great experience for the young players but also an added chance to catch a glimpse of the future stars coming up the ranks.
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2024-09-19 22:00:59
