Stockport vs Manchester United U21s LIVE EFL Trophy updates, team news and Hannibal Mejbri latest

Manchester United begin their 2023/24 EFL Trophy campaign against Stockport County on Tuesday night.

The competition is open to every club in divisions three and four of the English football pyramid and they compete against 16 academy teams from Premier League and Championship clubs consisting of Under-21 players.

United's U21s reached the Round of 16 of the EFL Trophy, which was formerly named the Papa John's Trophy, last term after they won their group ahead of Barrow, Carlisle United and Fleetwood Town.

It's understood the Reds' games in the EFL trophy are used to give 'elite young players' the platform to perform against higher opposition in a more pressured environment, which is helpful in preparing them to play for the first team.

Travis Binnion will start a strong team tonight and Teden Mengi, Dan Gore and Hannibal Mejbri are expected to play.

Follow the blog below for live updates from Edgeley Park.

It's not every day you stroll around Salford Quays to find Manchester United legend Nicky Butt working in an ice cream van.

Butt hasn't departed from his position as chief executive officer of Salford City, but on Thursday morning he gave away ice cream and free holidays to the public to celebrate his club's new sponsorship deal with loveholidays.

"A random day, getting a free ice cream and a signed Salford shirt," someone posted on social media and in between handing out desserts, Butt spoke to the Manchester Evening News about life after Old Trafford and more.

Read the interview here.

Hello and welcome to today's Manchester United U21 live match blog.