MUFC continue campaign in controversial EFL Trophy
Faces former club
By Chris O'Brien
August 22 2023
Manchester United's controversial participation in the Football League Trophy resumes this evening as the Red Devils' Under-21s travel to Edgeley Park, to face Stockport County - backed by a sold out away end, amid a capacity crowd.
Since 2016, category one academies of Premier League and Championship clubs have been eligible for participation in the competition.
This followed failed plans to admit 'B Teams' of the top Premier League clubs into the lower echelons of the Football League - a proposal which caused huge controversy.
United declined to participate in the Football League Trophy in 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19 - but joined the fray the following season.
The involvement of academy clubs is controversial - potentially undermining senior clubs from League One and League Two, playing senior fixtures against the youth teams, when it is the senior clubs that should be their equals in the footballing pyramid.
It also wreaks havoc with the record books - with United's Under-21 side technically playing in senior fixtures, recognised on websites like Soccerbase. It's certainly a nightmare for football stat buffs like us at ManUtdWeb Towers!
But - regardless - a packed away end will be looking to cheer United onto a positive start in the competition.
Away followings have been something of a partisan and passionate affair in this competition; making big noise at grounds United fans don't usually get to attend in competitive competition.
In fact, the whole ground will be a sell-out. Edgeley Park's capacity is capped at 5,000 tonight for operational reasons, and all tickets have been sold.
Stockport - who sit 16th in the fourth tier heading into the game - have had permission to play out-on-loan Billie Chadwick in their XI, who has been plying his trade at Gateshead this season.
Former Manchester United player Nick Powell - who was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson from Crewe for £4million - is on Stockport's books.
United's Under-21s have had a difficult start to the season - losing both of their English Premier League 2 campaigns, away at Crystal Palace and at home to Yorkshire rivals Leeds United.
The likes of Charlie McNeill, Shola Shoretire and Hannibal Mejbri could be in action this evening looking to reverse young United's fortunes.