Lincoln City will be hoping to capitalise on their winning start to the Vertu Trophy tomorrow night when they welcome Manchester United’s Under 21’s to the LNER Stadium.
The Imps began their Trophy campaign with a 3-0 victory over Sky Bet League Two side Notts County at the start of the month.
That victory only increased the optimism around the club following a start to the season that now leaves them in third place having lost just once in League One.
Most recently, they found a 3-0 victory on the road against close rivals Peterborough United, however were unable to move up the table as Stevenage and Bradford City both found victory.
A fabulous first half free kick from deadline day signing Adam Reach gave City the lead going in at the break, before Tendayi Darikwa and Justin Obikwu put the game to bed late on.
Opponents: Manchester United
On the other hand, the youthful Manchester United side come into this one currently sat top of the Premier League Two table having not dropped a point yet this season.
Travis Binnion’s side currently sit on 15 points from five games having scored 13 goals and conceded just five in a league consisting of all Category A academies.
Most recently, they secured a comfortable 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace Under 21’s where winger Shea Lacey scored twice late on.
Before that they also found a 2-1 victory over Liverpool, however the score-line reversed when they were beaten 2-1 away to Brackley Town in the National League Cup.
The side are yet to feature in the Vertu Trophy this season after not playing in a game week one that saw Michael Skubala make nine changes.
Team news:
We can very much expect the same again from the Lincoln City head coach as his side look to preserve their league record.
He said: “For sure there are going to be some changes, there are a few bodies that could do with a physical rest but also a mental rest.
“More so the changes are to give the opportunities to the depth of the squad.”
Skubala has his whole squad to chose from in this one with the exception of winger Jack Moylan who remains out with an ankle injury.
However, with players such as Finn Barbrook yet to feature for the Imps since game week one and Erik Ring lacking minutes so far this season, this could be a real chance for them.
Head-to-head:
The last time the two sides faced off against each other came in this competition when Lincoln City ran out 3-2 winners in 2021 thanks to an Anthony Scully hat-trick.
City went in at the break with a 2-0 lead before Scully found the third and looked to put the game to bed on the hour mark.
However, Charlie McNeil and Bjorn Hadley both found late consolations for the away side before now Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was shown his second yellow card in injury time.
That was the second time the two sides faced off after the red devils came out on top two seasons prior when James Garner found the only goal of the game.
Played for Both:
Michael Appleton oversaw the Imps on that day and is one of many names to have represented both sides.
The Englishman spent his youth career with the Red Devils which is where he joined the Imps on loan from in 1995, however only made five appearances.
He then returned to Sincil Bank in 2019 as head coach where he remained until 2022 managing over 100 games.
He was also joined on that list by the recently departed Ethan Hamilton who also never featured in the first team however did make 67 appearances for City before departing for Dundee FC this summer.