Sunderland's group stage opponents in this season's EFL Trophy have been finalised, with Manchester United U21s set to visit the Stadium of Light.
The EFL announced yesterday that the Black Cats would be placed in Northern Section Group F along with League One Lincoln City and League Two Bradford City.
But each of the 16 groups - eight in the Northern Section, and eight in the Southern Section - will also contain an invited U21 side, with a draw held to allocate those teams.
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The invited academy sides in the Northern half of the draw are Everton, Leeds United, Leicester City, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, and Wolves.
And in a draw conducted live on Sky Sports News this afternoon by former Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand, Manchester United's U21 side was assigned to the Black Cats' group.
The first group games in the competition are due to be played in the week beginning August 30.
U21 sides play away from home which means Manchester United will visit the Stadium of Light, and Sunderland will also have a second group game at home but it has not yet been confirmed whether that will be against Bradford or Lincoln.
Sunderland are the current holders of the EFL Trophy, having defeated League Two Tranmere Rovers 1-0 at Wembley in mid-March.
This season's final will be held at Wembley on Sunday, April 3, 2022.
