Man United’s U21s drew with the PFA on Wednesday and will play another friendly during the international break.
United’s U21s will take on Aston Villa in a friendly.
Manchester United’s Under-21s will play Aston Villa in a friendly at Bodymoor Heath.
The U21s claimed an impressive victory against Manchester City in the Premier League 2 last weekend, but there is a small gap until their next competitive fixture against Brackley.
United have been keen to fill that space and organised a friendly against a PFA XI (senior players who are free agents) on Wednesday. The U21s drew 1-1 thanks to a wonderful Shea Lacey goal before half-time.
The U21s will next be in action against Aston Villa in a behind-closed-doors friendly away from home at Bodymoor Heath next Friday.
The Premier League 2 recently changed its format and the U21s will not play Villa in a league fixture this season, so the friendly will be a chance for both sides to clash during the international break.
Travis Binnion’s side have made a dream start to the league campaign, winning all three of their games, but Villa have won against West Brom and lost against Leeds and Chelsea.
The friendlies will sharpen fitness ahead of the next competitive game against Brackley on September 16.
Lacey was the standout performer against the PFA. The youngster made his first appearance of the season in the Manchester derby victory and was heaped with praise by Binnion.
“Listen, everybody in the world knows about Shea Lacey,” said Binnion. “So he needs a little bit of fortune, he needs to be patient with himself and everybody else needs to be really patient with him.
“He is in the same sort of area as Chido because of time lost. Different to Chido, Chido is fast progression. Because of time lost with Shea, he still has lots to come tactically, physically and mentally.
“Everybody can see – you have to be blind not to see – the talent he’s got. He’s got lots to do in his game and he knows. We’re still managing him physically because if he can stay on the pitch and can train every day, I think everyone thinks he could be a top, top player.”
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