Under-21s face Manchester United in PL2 play-off final

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Shannon Ruth's side play at the Amex on Saturday for the second time in four days.

2026-05-16T06:00+01:00

Shannon Ruth's team will face Manchester United at the Amex on Saturday. 📸 by James Boardman.

Albion’s under-21s return to the Amex on Saturday for the Premier League 2 play-off final against Manchester United, kick-off 7:30pm.

Albion enter the fixture looking to rebound from a physically and emotionally draining week.

On Wednesday they narrowly missed out on winning the Sussex Senior Cup, falling to Three Bridges in a dramatic penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw.

While the result was difficult to swallow, head coach Shannon Ruth believes the experience of playing in the later stages of competitions and on the Amex stage is an essential part of the players’ development.

He said, "For some of the players Wednesday was the first time they've played at the Amex. In the first half we weren't quite at the races and the occasion maybe got the better of us.

“It was a really cruel way to end the game, but the experience for the players will stand them in good stead moving forward."

The challenge on Saturday, however, takes a different shape. Manchester United arrive with a squad full of young talent and Shannon expects them to be “a tough outfit” to face.

When the two sides played out a 1-1 draw in PL2 earlier this season, the United line-up featured players with nearly 50 Premier League appearances between them.

“We need to dust ourselves down and use this disappointment as fuel so that we don’t feel the same on Saturday,” added Ruth.