Ed Brand’s boys will host the Red Devils for a place in the semi-finals of the competition and the contest can be watched live on our website, The 5th Stand app, YouTube and Facebook, with coverage underway at 10.55am.

How we got here

In our first group-stage fixture back in September, we managed to beat Blackburn Rovers 3-2 at home despite going a goal down. Malik Mothersille grabbed a brace and, either side of his goals, Ronnie Stutter was also able to get on the scoresheet.

Our second game saw us mount an impressive comeback against Reading as we went two goals down but still secured a victory, again winning 3-2. The second-half fight-back was started by Edwin Andersson, while Mothersille scored the equaliser and Louis Flower completed the turnaround.

The final game in the group stage for our young Blues was a pulsating 3-3 draw against Derby County away from home. Luke-Badley Morgan, Charlie Webster with a penalty and Mothersille were the scorers that day.

It is worth noting that Malcolm Ebiowei scored a hat-trick for the home side as he impressed against us.

The form

Both teams are having contrasting seasons in their leagues, with Chelsea playing in the Under-18 Premier League southern section and our opponents in the northern equivalent.

We currently sit in third, three points off the top of the table. Before the New Year, we were on a five-game unbeaten streak but since the start of 2022 our form has been inconsistent.

One win (against Aston Villa), two losses (against Arsenal and Fulham) and one draw (against Brighton) have seen us lose the top spot we had at the end of 2021.

United have won their last four games in all competitions, meaning they come into this game as the form team. Their league form has also been inconsistent with two wins, two draws and one loss in their last five.

At this stage in 2019/20, we beat Newcastle United 2-0 with Sam McClelland and Dion Rankine on the scoresheet but exited at the semi-finals away at Stoke City.

Brand's boys will be looking to take one step closer to a final this season and continue their fight for silverware on three fronts, alongside our pursuit of the league title and the FA Youth Cup.

We will host Blackpool in the quarter-finals of the latter at Stamford Bridge, with a date to be confirmed shortly.