Academy Briefing: Competitive fixtures begin

Thursday 14 August 2025 12:56

Manchester United’s Academy teams begin their competitive schedules for the 2025/26 season this week.

UNDER-21s AT TAMWORTH

The Under-21s were in action first, travelling to Tamworth for the opening game of the National League Cup, a tournament which pits our young Reds against senior opposition.

Last season, United excelled in the group stages, winning all four games and scoring 12 goals, before a disappointing quarter-final exit at Sutton United.

Wednesday night’s fixture at Tamworth was abandoned close to half-time due to a head injury suffered by United’s Sekou Kone.

Sekou was taken off on a stretcher after a clash of heads and received treatment at the ground. We confirmed later on Wednesday evening that Kone was conscious, stable and communicating with our medical team. He was then taken to hospital, as a precaution, for further checks. Everybody at the club wishes him a speedy recovery.

UNDER-18s START AT EVERTON

MUTV subscribers can watch the Under-18s’ first competitive fixture under new lead coach Darren Fletcher live on Saturday morning.

The 11:00 BST kick-off at Everton’s Finch Farm training ground offers an opportunity to see the latest group of young Reds, with 12 new scholars having been inducted in a special Old Trafford ceremony earlier this summer.

Since then, Fletcher has spent time with the group on a pre-season training camp at adidas headquarters in Germany before participating in the the Mladen Ramljak Memorial Tournament for a third successive summer.

After victories over Juventus and Rapid Vienna, a controversial draw against Dinamo Zagreb put United into the third-place play-off, where we were beaten by Benfica. Fletcher’s side played excellent football and built good connections.

Fletcher’s speech to U18s Video

Fletcher’s speech to U18s

FLETCHER’S SPEECH | Our upcoming ‘Lifeblood Short: Class of 2025’ features this from our new U18s lead coach…

U18 PREMIER LEAGUE CUP FIXTURES ANNOUNCED

We will face Brighton & Hove Albion, Middlesbrough and Birmingham City in the Under-18 Premier League Cup group stage.

We most recently won the competition in 2023/24, and reached the quarter-finals last season, where we were beaten on penalties by eventual winners, West Ham United.

The Cup provides competitive tests against teams outside of the regional restrictions of the normal league schedule.

The opening game against Brighton is on Wednesday 27 August, at Carrington, kicking off at 12:00 BST.

Lifeblood Short: U16s in Hong Kong Video

Lifeblood Short: U16s in Hong Kong

NEW RELEASE | This exclusive Lifeblood short follows our Under-16s on a lifechanging trip to Hong Kong…

UNDER-16s IN HONG KONG

Our Under-16s are proudly representing the club abroad at the moment, as part of a long-standing partnership with The Hong Kong Jockey Club.

The group will engage in cultural activities, sharing experiences with local footballers and training together at fantastic facilities, with ex-Reds Peter Schmeichel and Phil Jones travelling with them to provide advice.

United will play two friendly matches, on 15 and 17 August, at Mong Kok Stadium. The first match will feature the Manchester United Academy Under-16 squad versus a Premier Youth League Select Team, while the second match will be between Manchester United Academy U16 and the Hong Kong, China U16 Representative Team.

POSITIVE STARTS

Well done to our players out on loan, many of whom have enjoyed very positive starts to their temporary spells in the EFL.

Goalkeeper Radek Vitek was named ‘Pick of the Match’ on his debut for Bristol City in the Championship, as they defeated Sheffield United 4-1. Jack Moorhouse showed signs of excellent ball-carrying ability in his first appearances for Leyton Orient, and the same was true of Ethan Wheatley for Northampton Town, also in League One.

Although Shrewsbury Town were beaten in the Carabao Cup first round, Elyh Harrison made a penalty save on his competitive debut for Michael Appleton’s side. The Shrews manager, who graduated from our Academy himself in the 1990s, said Elyh “had a really good evening and we saw what he’s capable of in terms of making saves [and] more importantly, what he does with the ball as well.”

Jonny Evans is in regular contact with all of our loanees in his new role as head of loans and pathways, and continues to work on securing positive moves for other players still working hard at Carrington with the Professional Development Phase (U17-U21) group.

Radek Vitek enjoyed a strong first appearance for Bristol City.

MUTV INFO AT A GLANCE

Saturday 16 August | Everton v UNITED U18s | 11:00 | Live on MUTV

Monday 18 August | Middlesbrough v UNITED U21s | 19:00 | Fans can attend at the Riverside Stadium, tickets available on the night

Friday 22 August | UNITED U21s v Norwich City | 19:00 | Not live on MUTV, updates on the United App

Saturday 23 August | UNITED U18s v Middlesbrough | 12:00 | Live on MUTV

Wednesday 27 August | UNITED U18s v Brighton & Hove Albion | 12:00 | TBC

Saturday 30 August | Derby County v UNITED U18s | 12:00 | Not live on MUTV, report to follow on United App

Sunday 31 August | UNITED U21s v Manchester City | 13:00 | Live on MUTV

Academy Briefing: Competitive fixtures begin