Man United U21s drawn with familiar foes in National League Cup group stage

Manchester United U21s have learned their opponents for the 2025/2026 National League Cup group stage following the official draw yesterday.

The competition, now in its second season, features 16 teams competing in the Premier League 2 and 16 other clubs from the National League.

It allows the academy teams to compete against senior opponents from England’s top tier of non-league football

Leeds United are the defending champions, beating Sutton United 2-1 at the VBS Community Stadium in April.

United finished top of their group last term but lost to Sutton United, the eventual runners-up, in the quarter-final.

They have been placed in Group A of the next season’s edition alongside Morecambe, Rochdale, Solihull Moors and Tamworth, all of whom they will play away from home.

United faced Rochdale last season, with the game producing the competition’s record attendance – 3,681.

Both teams will also clash in a pre-season friendly at Crown Oil Arena on August 2.

Blackburn Rovers, Burnley and Everton are also in the group, but United will not face any of them.

The top two teams from the four groups qualify for the quarter-final.

The group fixtures will be played between August and November – all will be played mid-week.

The quarter-final and semi-final are scheduled for January and February, while the final will take place in March.

Full National League Cup draw

Group A: Blackburn Rovers, Burnley, Everton, Man United, Morecambe, Rochdale, Solihull Moors, Tamworth.

Group B: Leicester City, Nottingham Forest, West Brom, Wolves, Braintree Town, Brackley Town, Forest Green Rovers, Wealdstone.

Group C: Brighton & Hove Albion, Fulham, Southampton, West Ham United, Aldershot Town, Sutton United, Truro City, Woking.

Group D: Leeds United, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United, Sunderland, Boston United, Halifax Town, Gateshead, Scunthorpe United.

National League Cup schedule

Match Round 1 – 12/13 August

Match Round 2 – 16/17 September

Match Round 3 – 21/22 October

Match Round 4 – 25/26 November

Quarter Final – 27/28 January

Semi Final – 17/18 February

Final – 17/18 March

Article written by Henry Thornton .