United to face Warren Joyce's Forest B in crucial PL2 clash
Gabriele Biancheri
By Chris O'Brien
April 26 2024
Manchester United's second-string travel to Nottingham Forest on Friday evening, knowing victory will see them climb above their opponents in the Premier League 2 table, as they prepare to face off against a familiar face in the opposition dugout, amid a tight race for the elimination play-offs.
United head to the Loughborough University Stadium sitting one point and one place behind Forest B.
Former United reserve boss Warren Joyce - who spend eight years on the Red Devils coaching staff - is now in charge of Forest, and head into the game five matches unbeaten.
United - who have two games remaining in the regular season - are hoping to hold onto a top 16 spot to qualify for the single elimination playoffs that culminate the season.
Travis Binnion's side go into the game on the back of a 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur, with Ruben Curley and Welsh under-19 international Gabriele Biancheri on the scoresheet for United.
If United can climb into the top 12, they will also be invited to take part in next season's Premier League International Cup competition.
Premier League 2 - formerly comprised of two divisions - is now bizarrely a 26-team league where teams play 20 matches. Strangely, part of the reason for removing relegation was, according to the Premier League, to introduce "positive jeopardy" instead, which "minimises the impact of relegation" on players looking to ply their trade at the very highest level. Hmm....
United are favourites for the game - currently priced around the 32/25 mark on Betfair Exchange.
The game is a 7pm kick-off, and tickets are only available in the all-seated Robert Allison Stand. They're priced at £5 for adults, and £3 for concessions. The game is also broadcast live on MUTV.