Back at St George’s Park, Derby County’s Under-23s will be looking to complete the double over Manchester United when the two sides meet at St George’s Park, kick-off: 1pm.
The Rams will also be aiming for a return to winning ways against the Red Devils and dcfc.co.uk has pulled together all the information you are going to need to know ahead of kick-off…
WHAT’S THE LATEST TEAM NEWS
Max Hunt could make his Derby County Under-23s debut when they take on Manchester United on Sunday.
The centre-back, signed from Matlock Town during the transfer window, has spent the past week training with his new team mates and could be involved at some point against the Red Devils.
That aside, Darren Wassall will have a similar squad to the one he named at Liverpool a week ago to call upon.
Max Bird could also come back into contention this weekend.
Kyle McAllister continues to be ruled out of action.
SETTING THE SCENE
Darren Wassall was impressed with his Under-23s’ performance against Liverpool, but now he wants to combine that with a result against Manchester United.
A late goal from Ovie Ejaria denied the Rams a point last time as the table-topping Reds edged out 1-0 winners in a tight meeting at Prenton Park.
Derby are without a win since they beat West Ham United 5-1 at the London Stadium in November.
That said, Manchester United prop up Premier League 2 Division 1 ahead of the game and have lost their last three league games in succession.
“It’s always a big game, whether you are playing them at schoolboy, Under-18s, Under-23s or first team level,” Wassall said.
“We have faced them a lot recently – in the FA Cup, FA Youth Cup – and we have got a double-whammy this weekend.
“Our Under-16s and Under-18s playing them on Saturday and then we have got them on Sunday. We know it’s going to be a tough game, but it’s an important one for us in terms of the fact that we want to get back to winning ways in the league.
“Hopefully, we can do it on Sunday. We know with the quality of Manchester United, with the experience in their squad and their heights in terms of youth development that they have hit over the years that it’s going to be a difficult proposition.
“We’re ready, we’re raring and we’re going to take all the positives from the Liverpool game into Sunday at St George’s Park.”
Read Darren Wassall’s and Max Hunt’s full pre-match interviews now on dcfc.co.uk.
HOW CAN I ATTEND?
As was the case last season, supporters will be able to watch Derby County’s Under-23s for FREE at St George’s Park on Sunday afternoon.
No tickets for admission is needed ahead of the fixture at Burton-upon-Trent base, whilst car parking spaces are available on a first come first served basis.
WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME?
DERBY COUNTY U23s 5-3 MANCHESTER UNITED U23s
Monday 6th February, 2017
Derby County’s Under 23s produced their standout performance of the season to date as they swept aside Manchester United with a convincing 5-3 victory at St George’s Park on Monday evening.
The Red Devils did open the scoring early doors through Callum Gribbin, but the Rams refused to lie down and fought back to lead 2-1 at the interval through Alex Babos and Timi Max Elsnik.
From there, Darren Wassall’s men took their display up another level and struck three further times in a devastating five-minute spell through Elsnik, Kellan Gordon and Emil Riis Jakobsen to lead 5-1 in Staffordshire.
Devonte Redmond and Tosin Kehinde responded for the visitors late on, but despite their late pressure, Derby held firm to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to five games and secure their first Premier League 2 Division 1 win since the end of October.
Derby County U23s: Roos, Santos, Bateman, Cover, Macdonald; Bird (Edwards, 85), Elsnik, Babos; Gordon, Bennett, Jakobsen
Substitutes not used: Cresswell, Ravas, Bogle, Karic
Manchester United U23s: O’Hara, Olosunde, Tuanzebe, Scott (Warren, 64), Mitchell, Willock, Kehinde, Harrop (Buffonge, 72), McTominay, Gribbin, Redmond
Substitutes not used: M. Johnstone, Hamilton, Whelan
HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE ACTION?
Rams supporters not attending Sunday’s fixture will be able to follow all of the action LIVE and for FREE on RamsTV. As usual, you will also be able to keep up to date with all the key moments across the official Derby County Academy Twitter account, @dcfcofficial, whilst a full match report, match images, reaction and match highlights will follow across dcfc.co.uk and RamsTV after the full-time whistle.
