Academy News | United Under-21s to welcome Athletic Club to Old Trafford

There will be some European football at Old Trafford this season

Old Trafford will host a first competitive continental game of the season when our Under-21s welcome Athletic Club for a Premier League International Cup fixture.

Author | Liam C

Led by coach Travis Binnion, who steered our Under-18s to FA Youth Cup glory at the Theatre of Dreams back in 2022, the U21s have regularly competed in this tournament, but rarely have such an exciting and historic set of opponents as in 2025/26.

What is the Premier League International Cup?

Manchester United will face Athletic Club, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting and Anderlecht in the group stages of the Premier League International Cup.

The competition, which started in 2014, features 32 teams, the top 16 from Premier League 2 and 16 invited clubs from across Europe. All matches are played in England, with Premier League 2 sides taking on international opposition only.

Last season saw United involved in some tight battles against the likes of Hertha Berlin, PSV Eindhoven and Sparta Prague but the Reds fell short of reaching the knockout rounds. Only the top two teams in each group make it through.

Much like the FA Youth Cup, EFL Trophy and the new National League Cup, this tournament gives fans a chance to watch our young talents tested in a different environment. It is a stage where they face unfamiliar opponents, diverse playing styles and physical challenges, an ideal proving ground for the next generation of United stars.

A game that will celebrate the history and promote the future

This season’s draw brings a fascinating historical twist, as United’s young players will face the same three clubs our first team met in senior European competition back in 1956/57.

When Matt Busby’s pioneering side entered the newly founded European Cup as English champions, they beat Anderlecht, including a record 10-0 win at Maine Road, before overcoming Borussia Dortmund and securing a memorable two-leg victory over Athletic Club.

Tickets for these matches are available from the club’s website.

Decades later, all four clubs United face this season remain committed to youth development, particularly Athletic, known for their famous Basque-only policy. There is also more recent history with the Basque side, as United defeated them 7-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals of last season’s Europa League.