Salford City will kick off their 2020/21 campaign at the Peninsula Stadium in an EFL Trophy Group Stage fixture against Manchester United U21’s.
This intriguing tie is sure to be competitive, with Salford coming into this fixture off the back of an impressive Carabao Cup victory against EFL Championship side, Rotherham United on penalties, after a 1-1 scoreline in normal time. Salford City boss, Graham Alexander explained after the game on SCTV that his side ‘‘played exceptionally well against a really tough outfit that made it hard for us (Salford) to play our own game."
There’s plenty of outside interest in this tie, and joint Salford owner and Manchester United legend, Ryan Giggs has given his take on the game, he said:
‘I hope there will be plenty of goals and that we (Salford) come away with the win’’. Giggs also believes that the inclusion of Premier League youth sides within the EFL Trophy is a positive, he continued:
‘’When we were 15,16 we were tested against the likes of Morecambe reserves or Marine first team so this opposition won’t be what the kids are used to and you’re not going to beat them physically, so you have to find another way which serves as a really good test for younger players in this competition.’’
Another story from this tie is the story of James Wilson, an ex- Manchester United youngster that featured for the Red Devils 15 times over five years, scoring three goals. Wilson made his Manchester United debut during Ryan Giggs’ interim spell in charge at the end of the 2013/14 season, notably scoring twice in a 4-1 home win against Hull City. However after numerous unsuccessful loan spells away from the club, Wilson signed for Salford earlier this year in the January transfer window, making five appearances before the 2019/20 season’s curtail, scoring twice. When speaking about Wilson, Giggs quoted:
"He (Wilson) really impressed me with the way that he trained and the way he had an eye for a goal, scoring a couple of goals on his United debut, he’s always been a really good finisher."
Manchester United U’21s will be looking to improve on their last EFL Trophy campaign, losing 3-2 to Tranmere Rovers in the second round. Manchester United fans will be eager to catch a glimpse of their young talent who will be looking to break through into Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s first team. Young talent such as Mason Greenwood, Tahith Chong and Angel Gomes all featured in United’s last EFL Trophy campaign, and went on to feature for the first team, with Greenwood in particular impressing on the big stage.
Salford reached the final of this tournament last year, which wasn’t played due the abandonment of the 2019/20 League One and League Two seasons as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Will the Lions reach the final and fulfil their Wembley dream or will the youngsters of Manchester United shine and make their first team claim?