Sheffield Wednesday set up behind closed doors friendly with Manchester United

Andy Holdsworth’s side have been in good form this season, and a 5-2 victory over Hull City in their last competitive outing means that they’re just six points off the Professional Development League leaders, Birmingham City, with two games in hand.

The U21s were due to face Wigan Athletic on Tuesday as they sought to close that gap, however the game was postponed earlier that day meaning that they were left without a league fixture this week. They will have a game to play, though.

It’s understood that Wednesday’s youngsters will make the trip to United’s famed Carrington training centre on Friday to take on a team of their Red Devil counterparts, and Holdsworth will be hoping that they can give a good account of themselves against one of the most respected youth academies in world football.

It remains to be seen which players will start in Lancashire, however the visitors’ captain, Sean Fusire, is out injured and there could be a return on the cards for Jay Glover following the end of his loan spell with Spennymoor Town.

Meanwhile, the Owls will host the youth side of National League South outfit, Hemel Hempstead, in the third round of the FA Youth Cup at Hillsborough on Saturday, however the midday kickoff for that game means that those travelling to watch the first team at Stoke City on the same day will be unable to attend.