Match Preview: Manchester United U21 vs Everton U21

EVERTON could climb to the summit of the Barclays U21 Premier League on Tuesday evening with a victory over Manchester United’s under-21s.

The young Blues pulled within two points of leaders Chelsea after an impressive 3-1 win over Southampton in their last league game.

But they will have to fare better than they did on Wednesday, when they fell to Villarreal’s youngsters in the Premier League International Cup.

David Henen’s third goal in three games cancelled out Alfonso Pedrazza’s early opener, but Francisco Sol’s stunning strike towards the end of the game ensured a happy trip back to Spain for the Yellow Submarine.

Manchester United under-21s have also been doing well this season, losing only three of 15 games, with their most recent victory coming last week in a brilliant 2-1 come-from-behind victory over the West London table toppers.

They have, however, been helped out by a host of first-team stars who have dipped in-and-out of the reserves, including Victor Valdes, Adnan Januzaj, Jonny Evans and Ander Herrera.

The aforementioned Valdes is potentially in line for a start on Tuesday, as he didnt play against Preston North End in the FA Cup, after Louis van Gaal said in the press that the Spaniard must "prove himself" before playing for the first team.

David Unsworth’s side will also have a change of scenery when they step onto the pitch at Leigh Sports Village, as they play their first away game since the beginning of January, bringing to an end a streak of four consecutive home games.

The sides are yet to meet this season, but the reverse fixture will take place in a month’s time at Southport’s Merseyrail Community Stadium.

We’ll be bringing you live coverage of the game from Leigh, which kicks off at 19:00, on Twitter via our account @RBMersey, and a full match report will follow the final whistle.