The Iron have been placed in Group A of the Northern Section for the EFL Trophy in 2019-20 and will face both Grimsby Town and Sunderland.
Scunthorpe will face the Mariners and Black Cats, one of which taking place at Glanford Park and the other away from home, on dates to be confirmed.
Each group currently contains three EFL Clubs with a Category One invited club completing each group by means of draw. This draw will take place on Friday, July 12th, 2019, live on talkSPORT at approximately 12.30pm.
United could face any of the following invited sides:
- Aston Villa
- Everton
- Leicester City
- Liverpool
- Manchester City
- Manchester United
- Newcastle United
- Wolverhampton Wanderers
2019-20 Competition Format
Participating Clubs
- 48 Teams from League One & Two
- 16 Category One Academy (The 16 Academy Clubs will be invited to participate in the Competition based on the final League positions achieved in the preceding season.)
Player Eligibility
For EFL Clubs
- 4 qualifying outfield Players from 10
- A Club can play any eligible goalkeeper in the Competition
A qualifying outfield Player will be one who meets any of the following requirements: - Any Player who started the previous or following first team fixture.
- Any Player who is in the top 10 Players at the Club who have made the most starting appearances in League and Domestic Cup Competitions that season.
- Any Player with 40 or more First Team appearances in their career.
- Any Player on loan from a Premier League Club or any EFL Category One Academy Club.
For Invited Teams
To meet the criteria for season 2019-20 Invited Teams must comply with the following:
- 6 from 11 in the starting line-up at U21 level as at 30th June in the preceding season.
- Teams may only include 2 players on the team sheet over 21 who have made 40 or more senior appearances (measured as at the 30th June in the preceding season).
- A senior appearance will be defined as having played in a professional first team fixture. A non-playing substitute does not count.
Group Stages
Key Features:
- 16 groups of 4 teams
- Each group will contain one Invited Team
- Three EFL Clubs will make up the group
- The Invited Team will play all group games away
- Each EFL Club will play 2 group games at home
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Clubs will be awarded 3 points for a win, and 1 point for a draw
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In the event of a drawn game after 90 minutes, a penalty shootout will be held with the victorious team gaining an extra point
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The top two placed teams will progress to the knock-out rounds. In the event of points being level, positions will be determined by using established criteria
Knock-out Rounds
Invited Teams will be required to play games at their first team stadium if drawn at
home, unless an exemption is granted by the Executive.
- Round 2 will remain regionalised with the group winners at home against a second placed team from a different qualifying group.
- Round 3 will remain regionalised.
- Quarter Finals (8 teams) will be drawn without any geographical restrictions.
If the scores are level after 90 minutes, the game will be determined by penalty kicks. - The Semi-Finals will be played at the first team stadium of the team drawn first in both ties.
If the scores are level after 90 minutes, the game will be determined by penalty kicks. - The Final will be played at Wembley Stadium. If the scores are level after 90 minutes, extra time will be played and if the teams are still level, the winner will be determined by penalty kicks.
Match Dates (2019/20)
Group Stages
Match 1 - w/c 2nd September 2019
Match 2 - w/c 7th October 2019
Match 3 - w/c 11th November 2019
All dates are subject to change