The young Blues were knocked out of the cup at Hyde on Wednesday night when Fulham came from a goal behind to take the tie 2-1, but there is plenty at stake as they return to league duty.
Their local rivals currently languish in mid-table in Group C of the Barclays Premier Academy League, but City are in second place, just two points behind leaders Wolves.
City have the chance to do the double over their local rivals, having notched an impressive 3-1 win at United’s Carrington training ground last October. Albert Ruznak grabbed a couple while the other came from Jordi Hiwula, who notched his 20th goal of an impressive season on Wednesday night.
Hiwula was also on the score sheet against United a week ago, sealing a 4-2 win for the Elite Development squad over the Reds’ reserves in the Manchester Senior Cup with a strike in stoppage time.
One notable name that could feature for United is Jack Barmby, son of the former Liverpool, Spurs and Everton striker Nick Barmby, now manager at Hull City. Devante Cole, whose father Andrew played for both United and City, has been a regular for City’s Academy side this season.
United are without a win in the league this year, but they progressed into the quarter finals of the FA Youth Cup with an impressive 5-1 win away to Swansea earlier this month. The weather claimed City’s last Under 18 league fixture, and they will be keen to keep pace with Wolves as well as claiming the spoils against their local rivals when they kick off at Platt Lane at 11am.
