Expected starting line up for Manchester United’s U21s this season

Travis Binnion’s maiden season in charge of the Under-21 side begins away to Crystal Palace. A host of young talents will be vying for a regular spot in the new coach’s squad.

With 26 sides in the PL2, the format consists of 20 league games, after which the top 16 teams will enter a knockout tournament. The 16th-placed side will play the team finishing top; 15th will play second; 14th against third; and so on until a quarter-final line-up of eight teams is decided.

In United’s ranks, there is an abundance of talent waiting to impress, some of which have senior minutes under their belt. Here are the eleven young players expected to feature regularly.

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Goalkeeper: Radek Vitek

Vitek made 16 appearances in the Premier League 2 for United last season and looks to be first-choice for the U21s again this season - unless he heads out on loan. He was included in United's travelling squad for the Europa League clash with Real Sociedad in November and it could be a key season for the 'keeper's development.

Right-back: Marc Jurado

The first of United’s Spanish starlets, Jurado was brought in from Barcelona’s academy in 2020. Still just 19, the full-back scored during pre-season in the 3-1 defeat to Wrexham. No one played more PL2 minutes for United last term than the Spaniard.

Impressing Erik ten Hag in the process, expect Jurado to feature heavily in the Under-21s and vie for first-team minutes throughout 2023-24.

Centre-backs: Rhys Bennett and Sonny Aljofree

The English pair are expected to feature heavily this season at the heart of United’s Under-21 defence. Bennett, a