A look ahead to the youngsters' clash with the Red Devils tomorrow afternoon
Following on from an impressive home win against second placed Everton last weekend, Wanderers Under 18 side will be hoping for a repeat performance when they take on Paul McGuinness’ Manchester United side on Tuesday afternoon.With the club’s youths having secured a 2-0 victory over the Toffees last Saturday, the team will be looking to record a fourth consecutive league win against a Red Devils outfit who currently occupy third position in the table.
After an indifferent start to the campaign, Wanderers have turned their season around with three victories in their last four games in all competitions and with confidence high in the camp, they will no doubt be looking to extend that run of form against the Red Devils.
Manchester United laboured into the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup after an extra-time victory away at Leicester last week before following this up with a win at home to Newcastle on Saturday, but with David Lee and Tony Kelly’s side having enjoyed the luxury of a free weekend themselves, fitness and home advantage will have the the Whites fancying their chances.
Speaking ahead of the clash, coach Lee explained that although his side are under no illusions as to the task in front of them, they will be going all out to extend their fine form of late.
"We'll look at the younger players coming into the squad, but the message will be the same as it has been all season," he explained. "We've looked at the information that we have about United, but if the players work with the same ethic they did against Everton last weekend and they do their individual jobs properly, there's nothing stopping us getting a good result.
"It's not a fear of Manchester coming here - we'll relish it and pit our wits against them.
"It's another good team again, who'll have elite players in their side and a system we've got to match ourselves up against and compare our boys to theirs.
"With the vein of form and confidence in the side currently, they'll all relish the opportunity of playing against Manchester United."
For those wishing to attend the game, it will be held at the Eddie Davies Training Academy, Lostock Lane, BL6 4BJ with kick off scheduled for 1:30pm.