League campaign begins

By Chris O'Brien
August 14 2014

Manchester United’s second string kick-off their Under-21 Premier League on Friday evening as Norwich City visit Leigh Sports Village, the new home of Warren Joyce’s men.

The Red Devils go into the game on the back of success in the Manchester Senior Cup, with James Wilson bagging all four goals in a fine 4-1 victory.

United’s 28th MSC success followed a decent run of pre-season results. Defeat at Bray Wanderers, was followed up with a goalless draw at Southport, a convincing win at Altrincham and a 2-1 win at Barnsley.

The majority of United's second-string fixtures this season will be at Leigh Sport Village. The ground, which replaces Salford City Stadium as the team’s primary venue, last weekend hosted rugby league’s Challenge Cup semi-final between Castleford Tigers and Widnes Vikings.

Should Wilson be involved, he will be hoping to maintain his stunning goalscoring form and catch the eye of United boss Louis van Gaal. With speculation about the future of Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez intensifying, the striker may see this as an opportunity to stake his claim.

The Red Devils finished third in the Under-21 Premier League last season, and lost to Chelsea in the competition’s play-off final.

Norwich City’s development squad is managed by Dale Brooks, who recently re-joined the Norfolk outfit from Falkirk.