Sunderland 2 Manchester United Under-21s 1: Story of the night as Cats progress in Papa John's Trophy after Tyrese Dyce and Stephen Wearne goals

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The Black Cats boss named just one 'qualifying' first-team player by the competition’s rules as Denver Hume captained the side.

Hume has just recovered from a hamstring injury and needs game time, yet Johnson resisted the temptation to play any other senior players.

Sunderland’s youngsters made a positive impression, though, as Tyrese Dyce put his side ahead in the second half at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland vs Manchester United Under-21s live blog.

United drew level after an excellent strike from Zidane Iqbel, yet Stephen Wearne’s header secured the win for the hosts.

Following last week’s 2-1 win at Lincoln, Sunderland have qualified from Northern Group F with a game to spare, against League Two side Bradford which will take place on November 9.

Here’s how the match played out at the Stadium of Light against United’s under-21 side.

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RECAP: Sunderland 2 (Dyce, 50) (Wearne, 66) Manchester United Under-21s 1 (Iqbal, 57)

Key Events

Sunderland XI: Carney, Richardson, Almond, Younger, Hume (Kachosa, 71), Scott, Sonha, Wearne, Dyce, Taylor, Harris
Subs: McIntyre, Jessup, Kachosa, Ryder, Middlemas, Johnson, Kelly
Manchester United U21s XI: Mee, McShane, Hardley, Wellens, Fernandez, Savage, McNeil, Hoogewerf (Forson, 81), Mather, Iqbal, Hugill (Norkett, 81)
Subs: Vitek, Bennett, Jurado, Forson, Ennis, Norkett, Murray

Wed, 13 Oct, 2021, 14:43 BST

How Sunderland could start

Here’s the Sunderland side we think could start this evening - and it’s not too dissimilar to the one which beat Lincoln last time out.

Sunderland predicted XI: Burge, Richardson, Alves, Younger, Hume, Sonha, Neil, Wearne, Taylor, O’Brien, Harris.

Wed, 13 Oct, 2021, 14:40 BST

The inside track on United

We caught up with Manchester United reporter Steven Railston at the Manchester Evening News to find out more about Hugill and the Red Devils’ under-21s team.

Here’s what he had to say on the 17-year-old striker: “United beat Arsenal and Tottenham to Hugill’s signature last year and he couldn’t have made a better first impression in his first season in Manchester.

“Hugill didn’t take long to settle into life at United and his performances last campaign reaffirmed the club’s belief that the £300,000 transfer fee was quite the coup.”

Read the full piece HERE

Wed, 13 Oct, 2021, 14:37 BST

Former defender set to return

This is an interesting one.

Former Sunderland defender Paul McShane could line up against the Black Cats this evening.

The 35-year-old centre-back, who has also played for Hull City, West Brom and Reading, joined United in a player-coach role over the summer and has featured for the under-21 side in both Premier League 2 and the Papa John’s Trophy.

Under-21 sides are allowed to name three over age outfield players in every match, hence the reason McShane has been allowed to play for the Red Devils’ youth team.

Former Sunderland academy graduate Joe Hugill is also expected to start, and scored when United’s under-21 side beat Bradford in their last Papa John’s Trophy match.

Newcastle-born forward Shola Shoretire has also impressed for United’s youth side.

Wed, 13 Oct, 2021, 14:30 BST

Sunderland Under-23s boss Elliot Dickman spoke to the media on Tuesday and will be in the dugout again for today’s match.

“The main thing is that the manager is going to pick a side that is going to be competitive,” said Dickman.

“We are treating this is a first-team game, and the manager and his staff have led everything through the preparation, with us there to support.

“Whatever the manager decides in terms of who is in the actual XI, we’ll be there to support them.

“We’ll be there for the younger players and if there are any senior players involved, that will help them along as well.

“The good thing from our point of view is that if any of the lads who didn’t play for us on Sunday aren’t involved, then we have plenty of U23 games coming up for them.

“The big thing is that there is a hell of a lot of football coming up.

“The first team have got some tough games ahead, we’ve got lads away on international duty and a handful of injuries as well.

“The manager will pick the side that’s best for the club moving forward.”

Wed, 13 Oct, 2021, 14:26 BST

Team news

Following last week’s 2-1 win at Lincoln in the same competition, Lee Johnson is set to include several of the club’s under-23s players in tonight’s squad.

Will Harris, Ollie Younger, Harrison Sohna and Kenton Richardson all impressed against Lincoln and are expected to be involved this evening.

The match is likely to come too soon for centre-back Arbenit Xhemajli who played 45 minutes for the under-23 side on Sunday but has just returned from a long-term injury setback.