NATIONAL LEAGUE CUP CAMPAIGN BEGINS
The newest entry to United’s Academy schedule is the National League Cup. It’s a 32-team midweek competition in which 16 sides from Premier League 2 test themselves against 16 teams from the National League, England’s fifth tier. All fixtures are played at National League stadia, with those clubs keeping all the gate receipts.
In this inaugural season, featuring four groups of eight from which the top two progress into the knockouts, United are in Group B and will play Altrincham, Forest Green Rovers, Oldham Athletic and Rochdale. Should the young Reds progress, the quarter-finals will begin in early February.