Preview | U21s look to rekindle their form away to Manchester United

Manchester United U21s v West Ham United U21s
Premier League 2, Leigh Sports Village, Friday 29 November 2024, 7pm GMT

West Ham United U21s return to action after more than three weeks following the international break, travelling north-west to face Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village.

Having fallen to five consecutive defeats in all competitions, the development side will be looking to put this torrid run of form behind them as they enter a busy three-week schedule with four games in 19 days.

The U21s made a flawless start to the Premier League 2 campaign with five straight victories, but have since fallen to sixth with three defeats on the spin. Despite being eight places behind them, occupying one of the final places within the play-offs, Manchester United could leapfrog the Hammers with a victory on Friday evening.

How To Follow…

Unfortunately, due to broadcasting restrictions, with the game coinciding with Brighton and Southampton's Premier League clash at the Amex Stadium, West Ham United's development fixture against Manchester United will not be live streamed.

However, fans can stay up to date with the action through a live blog on the Club’s website and app, while a match report and reaction will follow shortly after the full-time whistle. Highlights will be available on Saturday.

Tickets...

Tickets for Friday evening’s game are e-ticket only. Once purchased on the Leigh Sports Village website, fans will receive their ticket via email which can either be printed to scan or shown on their smartphone at the turnstiles.

West Ham fans have been allocated a section within the West Stand. Tickets are priced at just £3 for Adults and £1 for Concessions.

Travel...

The postcode for Leigh Sports Village - home of Manchester United’s Women’s team and U21s - is WN7 4JY.

The 12,000-seater venue is located between Manchester and Liverpool, just a few minutes off the A580 and the M6 with ample parking for those arriving by car.

Premier League 2 Explained…

To minimise the impact of relegation on future groups of U21 players, the Premier League introduced a new format to its development phase competition in 2023/24.

Replacing the two-division system, the 26 Category One academies now compete in a single tier with 20 regular-season fixtures before the top 16 seeded teams advance to single-elimination play-offs.

Regular-season fixtures are determined by a draw made according to clubs’ performances over the last three seasons. Each team plays 20 different opponents before the play-offs in May, where they will be drawn against each other based on league positions, with the higher seeded team playing at home. The top 12 are also rewarded with a place in the following season’s Premier League International Cup competition.

Ones To Watch…

The return of Ezra Mayers from injury will be a welcome sight for the young West Ham defence. The second-year scholar, who had played every single minute of the season, has been absent for the young Hammers' last two games, which saw them ship seven goals. Returning from injury, Mayers played the first half in the U18s’ 3-1 win over Southampton last weekend which saw them secure a place in the Premier League Cup quarter-finals.

One of only three players to have appeared in all of West Ham United U21s’ 14 fixtures this season, vice captain Lewis Orford has arguably been the development side’s player of the season so far. In his first year as a professional, having completed his West Ham scholarship in the summer, the 18-year-old central midfielder will be looking to impress once again as he continues to push closer to the first team.

For Manchester United, Ethan Wheatley is being tipped for big things. The Red Devils’ landmark 250th academy graduate made his Premier League debut against Sheffield United in April, just two days after scoring in the U18 Premier League final win over Chelsea. This season, Wheatley has five goals in six Premier League 2 games, but his commitments with the first team, who have two fixtures in just a matter of days, as well as his inclusion in United’s UEFA Youth League squad, may see him rested for Friday evening’s fixture.

Another attacking player enjoying a strong spell of form is Ethan Ennis. The 19-year-old is fresh off scoring a hat-trick in the young Red Devils’ last outing against Altrincham in the National League Cup. Goals against senior opposition have been a regular feature for the former Liverpool academy attacker, having also scored against Barnsley, Doncaster Rovers and Forest Green Rovers.

Further down the field, Harry Amass is another Carrington talent to keep an eye out for. A skilful left-back with excellent balance and ball carrying ability, Amass, who was signed from Watford’s academy last season, has featured five times on the bench for United’s senior side, while also representing the development side on six occasions in Premier League 2.

How Things Stand In Premier League 2...