Manchester United U21s vs Everton live updates and team news from Premier League 2 play-off

Manchester United host Everton in the Premier League 2 play-offs Round of 16 tonight.

The Premier League 2, which is the division for Under-21 players, changed format last season, which meant the upper and lower leagues combined into an extended 26-team league.

United finished fifth and will now play Everton in the first round of the play-offs, who they haven't played this season, and a place in the quarter-finals of the revamped play-off format is at stake at Leigh Sports Village.

The game will kick-off at 7pm and fans have been encouraged to support Travis Binnion’s side.

Everton finished 12th in the Premier League 2, which means United are favourites to win.

Follow below for live updates from Leigh Sports Village.

The final touches to prepare the defenders for Everton.

Tonight's game will kick-off at 7pm and we'll bring you live updates throughout in this blog.

So, this is how the play-off bracket looks, which should be helpful.

United finished fifth, which means they welcome Everton (12th place) to Leigh tonight.

I'm excited to watch Bendito Mantato again tonight. He’s been steadily given opportunities for the U21s and is someone who possesses all the qualities to succeed in Ruben Amorim’s system.

He had a smile on his face as he walked out.

Ethan Wheatley starts for the U21s (other academy players who have struggled for game time on loan have done the same). Wheatley has made just four appearances for Walsall, but United have maintained there's no such thing as a bad loan, pointing out how they help players learn.

There's a lovely tribute planned for Joe Thompson tonight.

The players will take a photo with a Rochdale shirt before the game, take part in a minute's applause and wear black armbands.

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