Manchester United Under-21s will be aiming to secure their spot in the next round of the EFL Trophy when they take on League One outfit Huddersfield Town at the John Smith's Stadium on Tuesday night.
The visitors are currently second in Northern Group F, picking up five points from their two matches thus far, while Huddersfield are third, two points behind their opponents in this contest.
Match preview
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Huddersfield were relegated from the Championship last season, but they are expected to be strong challengers for an immediate return to the second tier for the 2025-26 campaign.
A total of 23 points from 14 matches has left Michael Duff's side in eighth position in the League One table, just one point outside of the playoff spots, and their main focus this term will be on what is a very intriguing League One.
The Terriers were actually knocked out of the FA Cup in the first round by National League outfit Tamworth earlier this month, but they will enter this match off the back of a 2-2 draw with Crawley Town in the league on Saturday.
Huddersfield have work to do if they are to advance in the EFL Trophy, having picked up three points from their two matches, losing to Doncaster Rovers before beating Barnsley 2-0 on home soil last time out.
Duff's side are third in the table, two points behind second-placed Man United Under-21s, meaning that they will need to win on Tuesday night in order to advance to the next stage of the competition.
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Man United Under-21s opened their 2024-25 EFL Trophy campaign with a 3-2 victory over Barnsley on August 20, before beating Doncaster on penalties last time out following a 3-3 draw.
Travis Binnion's side are therefore second in the table on five points, meaning that they would advance to the next round of the competition providing that they do not lose to Huddersfield in 90 minutes on Tuesday night.
The Red Devils will enter the match off the back of a 5-2 defeat to Sunderland Under-21s in Premier League 2, with the result leaving them in 14th spot in the table, boasting only 12 points from their first eight matches.
Man United Under-21s have found it difficult to show their best form in the league this season, winning four and losing four of their eight games, but their attention will now be on the EFL Trophy, before taking on Altrincham in the National League Cup on November 19 ahead of a clash with West Ham United Under-21s in the league at the end of the month.
Team News
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Huddersfield head coach Duff name a strong side for the team's last match in the competition against Barnsley, so it is fair to assume that he will do the same for the clash with Man United Under-21s.
A 3-5-2 formation should include Bojan Radulovic in the final third of the field, while there could also be a spot for Freddie Ladapo, who is yet to register in League One during the 2024-25 campaign.
Herbie Kane is also expected to be a starter for the League One outfit, while Anthony Evans could continue in midfield.
As for Man United Under-21s, Harry Amass is expected to again start at left-back, with the 17-year-old continuing his development at this level ahead of a likely first-team debut in the not too distant future.
Ethan Wheatley is also in and around the first team, and the 18-year-old should be another notable starter for the Red Devils.
Jack Fletcher, who is the son of former Man United midfielder Darren Fletcher, has scored twice in the EFL Trophy during the 2024-25 campaign, and the Manchester-born attacker is also in line for a spot in the XI.
Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:
Maxwell; Pearson, Lees, Lonwijk; Sorensen, Kane, Hogg, Evans, Headley; Radulovic, Ladapo
Manchester United Under-21s possible starting lineup:
Graczyk; Kamason, Kingdon, Ogunneye, Amass; McAllister, Baumann; Sharpe, Fletcher, Mather; Wheatley
We say: Huddersfield Town 2-1 Manchester United Under-21s
Man United Under-21s certainly have the talent to pick up the result that they need at Huddersfield in order to advance in the competition, but the League One outfit could have a number of established first-team players in their starting side, and we are backing the hosts to secure what is required for them to advance.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
