Oxford United will become Manchester City’s first opponents in their shiny new Academy stadium in Thursday night’s FA Youth Cup tie.
The stadium which is directly over a bridge from the home of the first-team normally has a capacity of 7000 however this has been restricted to 2,500 for Thursday.
While Oxford, who have already beaten Bristol City and Swindon to reach the third round – will field a side of players who hail from easy reach of their Kassam Stadium, the hosts are likely to have a more continental feel about them with the likes of Spanish defenders Angelino, Pablo Maffeo and French striker Thierry Ambrose all expected to be involved.
The winners will face a home tie against Coventry City next month.
Meanwhile Bury forced Manchester United all the way to the wire last night in the Youth Cup.
Playing at Old Trafford in front of 2,131 fans, a good Shakers team were beaten by Zachary Dearnley’s first-half striker though in truth the tie could have gone either way.
While Bury were at times forced to call upon the excellent Jack Ruddy in goal, after a difficult opening 45 minutes, they grew into the game.
Defender Matthew Foulds, the hero at one end, clearing Marcus Rashford’s effort on the line, went close to restoring parity midway through the second-half.
United winger Joe Riley then came to his side’s rescue with a last-ditch clearance as the pressure mounted, however the Shakers were unable to force an equaliser to take the tie into extra-time.
United will now face Hull City in the 4th Round of the competition.
