Manchester City face Manchester United tonight in the Under-21 mini-derby
Manchester City face Manchester United tonight in the Under-21 mini-derby
Manchester City Under-21s take on Manchester United in the Premier League 2 semi-final play-off tonight.
The Premier League 2, the division for Under-21 players, changed format in 2023/2024, which meant the upper and lower leagues combined into an extended 26-team division.
United finished second in the league and played Sunderland in the first round of the play-offs. The Reds then travelled to Selhurst Park, where they defeated Crystal Palace to reach the semi-finals.
City have beaten Arsenal and Aston Villa on their way to the semi-finals of the play-offs.
Follow below for live updates from the Joie Stadium.
The stairs behind the reception area in Manchester City's academy carry plaques on the wall of every player from the building in recent years to make their senior debut for the club. On a warm Tuesday morning in April, some of those faces can be found a few steps away as the Under-18s wait patiently for a team meeting.
Inside the small lecture theatre is their coach Oli Reiss, in animated discussion with his staff about a late change to a slide on the presentation. Reiss, who found it tough initially to get his ideas over in English when he moved from Germany to take the role at the beginning of last season, isn't sure that 'Work vs Play' is the right phrase to articulate his desire for the players to enjoy the less fun parts of the game.
The clock hits 9am and that uncertainty is instantly forgotten as Reiss opens the door to greet all of his players with hearty welcomes as they shuffle in to take their seats. They are used to a few of these meetings every week to review and preview games, and this is already their second in as many days.
of Manchester City during an U18s training session at the Manchester City Football Academy on 07 April 2026 in Manchester, England (Photo by Lexy Ilsley / Manchester City FC)
of Manchester City during an U18s training session at the Manchester City Football Academy on 07 April 2026 in Manchester, England (Photo by Lexy Ilsley / Manchester City FC)
(Image: Lexy Isley/Manchester City)
"I was just over the moon, but then I told my family and stuff like that," said Jim Thwaites, recalling a whirlwind 24 hours that saw him included in a senior matchday squad for the first time at Stamford Bridge.
Thwaites was named on Manchester United's bench a day after playing 120 minutes for the Under-18s.
The midfielder was spotted grinning from ear to ear as he returned to the dressing room before facing Chelsea, soaking in every second of the occasion. He has not stopped smiling since he was told the news.
"I'm just trying to learn as much as possible from the pros because that's where you want to be, realistically," he said. "I tried to like grasp it all in and take in all the knowledge from them, so I really enjoyed it."
Jim Thwaites of Manchester United
Jim Thwaites was named in Manchester United's recent squad against Chelsea(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
United have not held discussions with Adam Lawrence over staying at the club beyond this season. In January, Lawrence returned to United to manage the Under-21s for the remainder of the campaign.
Travis Binnion was formerly United's U21 manager, but he stepped up to the first team to help Darren Fletcher during his caretaker stint and was subsequently appointed to Michael Carrick's backroom staff.
The reshuffle created a vacancy with the U21s. Lawrence was formerly United Under-18 manager but stepped away from the role last summer before spending four months managing Newcastle's U21s.
The Manchester Evening News reported earlier in January that Lawrence's return was being considered. Positive discussions took place, and the appointment was seen as mutually beneficial for both parties. United announced Lawrence would manage the U21s as interim for the remainder of the campaign.
(Image: 2025 Manchester United FC)
When Sir Jim Ratcliffe singled out the United academy as having "slipped" with some of his customary direct feedback in October, he highlighted the appointment of Stephen Torpey as evidence of change.
Torpey is the latest Old Trafford recruit from the Manchester City blueprint Ratcliffe so admires, and that introduction from the United co-owner was pretty clear.
“The academy has really slipped at Manchester United," Ratcliffe said. "You need the academy to be producing talent all the time. It helps you financially. That’s not a light switch. You don’t solve the academy problem overnight. It takes time.”
United's first team will play just 40 games this season. An unusually sparse schedule at first team level has led to heightened interest in the club's academy, as has the emergence of young talents like JJ Gabriel.
Torpey wants to develop some of the country's best young players at Carrington. Gabriel, who has scored 23 goals in 25 appearances for the U18s this season, fits that billing.
(Image: 2025 Manchester United FC)
Hello and welcome to today's live blog for the U21 Manchester derby.
City take on United at the Joie Stadium in the semi-finals of the Premier League 2 play-off this evening, and we'll bring you build-up to the game, live updates and reaction after the final whistle.
General Views of the Joie Stadium at City Football Academy on October 14, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Tom Flathers/Manchester City FC)