SuperCupNI 2022 draw: Manchester United's FA Youth Cup champions heading to tournament

Manchester United’s FA Youth Cup champions will play two matches against Northern Ireland's future stars at this summer's STATSports SuperCupNI.

The young Red Devils - who beat Nottingham Forest in the Youth Cup final - will take on Gerard Lyttle's Under 19 side over two legs this July.

The announcement was made during Thursday night's draw for the SuperCupNI tournament which runs from July 24-29.

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"In 2019 we hosted Manchester United for two U21 games and in those two games against Rangers and Ballymena United their side included the likes of Anthony Elanga, Brandon Williams and NI international Ethan Galbraith, all of whom went on and played for the first team after their appearances in Coleraine and Ballymena," said SuperCupNI chairman Victor Leonard.

“The side that won the Youth Cup earlier this month was stacked with talent, and I am sure Erik ten Hag will be keeping a close eye on their progress ahead of next season.”

The Challenge matches will be played at the Coleraine Showgrounds on Monday, July 25, with the second game at the Ballymena Showgrounds two days later.

Elsewhere in Thursday night’s draw, one of the standout ties on opening night will see Rangers face Mexican side Santos Laguna in the Junior section, while Manchester United will face debutants Surf Select from USA.

In the Premier section, Right to Dream will face Californian newcomers San Francisco Glens and there is an Ulster derby with County Down facing County Armagh and Londonderry will face top opposition in Club Puebla from Mexico.

In total 64 teams from all four corners of the world will compete across four hotly contested male categories at U13, U14, U16