The U18s begin their FA Youth Cup campaign tonight.
Manchester United Under-18s take on Peterborough in the FA Youth Cup tonight.
United have entered the competition in the third round and will play at Old Trafford. and will have high hopes of going all the way in the Youth Cup.
Darren Fletcher, manager of the U18s, has the talent at his disposal to lift the trophy, with the likes of JJ Gabriel, Kai Rooney, Louie Bradbury and Yuel Helafu all ready to contribute.
Fletcher will be able to call upon academy players who were under the age of 18 at midnight before the end of August, which gives United added strength.
Bendito Mantato, Godwill Kukonki, Dan Armer, Amir Ibragimov and Jim Thwaites are just some of the players who represent the Under-21s but who are eligible to play in the Youth Cup.
Follow below for live updates from Old Trafford.
JJ Gabriel enjoys video games and comes out of his shell once he gets to know someone.
In many ways he is a normal teenager, but his extraordinary talent is revealed when he steps onto a football pitch. There is certainly nothing normal about what Gabriel can do with a ball at his feet.
Gabriel is a rising star in Manchester United's academy. The Manchester Evening News would not usually highlight a player so young, but there is a buzz in youth football about what Gabriel could achieve. Some academy followers suggest he could be the best talent United's academy has ever seen.
That is quite the prediction considering the graduates who have come before Gabriel, who already has more than 200,000 followers on Instagram and a sponsorship deal with Nike.
Academy coaches who have worked with Gabriel have marvelled at the youngster's skillset and have struggled to find weaknesses, despite playing him years above his age group.
(Image: Manchester United FC via Getty Images)
United confirm departure of former player Evans
United have confirmed Jonny Evans has stepped down from his role as head of loans and pathways. Evans took up the position in June following his retirement as a player, but he has left after six months.
He was responsible for arranging loans for youngsters and worked closely with Jason Wilcox to 'enhance processes which maximise individual player development and prepare young talent to perform in the first-team'.
When Evans was appointed, he said in a statement: “I am looking forward to working with the next generation of talented players to support them to reach their potential."
However, the 37-year-old has decided to leave to spend more time with his family, and it's understood he will now take time away from the game before deciding what to do next.
United sources have said the departure is amicable and Evans leaves with the best wishes of everyone at the club. Evans' transition into the role had confirmed the end of his playing career.
(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Welcome
Hello and welcome to tonight's FA Youth Cup live blog from Old Trafford.
The U18s will begin their Youth Cup campaign against Peterborough, and a decent crowd should attend the game to see a talented squad managed by Darren Fletcher in action.
Join is for build-up, updates throughout the game and reaction.
(Image: PA)