Apparently both United and Liverpool are in talks with the EFL about participating in the Checkatrade Trophy with their U21s sides (like other top 6 clubs have already started to do). I think it's a no-brainer personally, to get actual competitive games for the youngsters. Would prefer to watch them compete in this competition to playing against other reserve sides. Would provide links but only saw this in the Mirror and Mail.
It was stupid we declined it in the first place. Our club complains about lack of fixtures for the u23s and then has declined to participate in multiple competitions. You couldn't make that shit up.
All great until we go out in the first round to a bunch of thugs. They need to improve the league structure, although this will help too.
There's no doubt we would be a target but reading a lot of the accounts from the 92 lot they often recount being kicked all over the place by senior pro's. You either quit or dealt with it. Exactly what the current lads need to do.