Manchester United confirmed as headline returnees to SuperCupNI | OneFootball

Manchester United’s return to the annual SuperCupNI has been confirmed.

Famously known by its former name — the Milk Cup, SuperCupNI is a yearly tournament held every summer in Northern Ireland that United have participated in quite regularly since the 1980s.

This year’s competition has been confirmed as taking place from Sunday July 27 to Friday August 1.

United are set to return in the boys’ Premier section which is the U16s age group.

The Chairperson of Budget Energy SuperCupNI, Victor Leonard, said about the tournament, “The 2025 Budget Energy SuperCupNI is set to be one of the most competitive and exciting tournaments in our 42-year history.

“The return of Manchester United, the defending champions Brighton & Hove Albion and the tournament debuts of Bournemouth and Southampton in the Boys’ Premier Section are a testament to the tournament’s ever-growing reputation on the global stage.”

United will be looking to better their result this year having finished in 6th place last summer but you don’t have to go back far to find United’s last cup-winning side as United lifted the U16s section trophy in 2022.

A number of the 2022 squad are beginning to make a name for themselves in the higher age groups such as Jayce Fitzgerald, Finley McAllister, and James Scanlon, the latter of which is already a senior international for Gibraltar.

Competition will be fierce this year with English sides Brighton & Hove Albion, Southampton, and Bournemouth also confirmed as entrants.

Outside of England, Intercontinental FA from the USA, Japanese side Ichifuna and Mexican Liga MX club Tigres UANL will also be present alongside Scottish clubs Rangers and Hamilton Academical.

The American club Intercontinental FA will be a familiar opponent for United having clashed against them last year. The American side had come out on top to claim a 1-2 win in their final group stage match.

It isn’t confirmed yet if United’s girls side will also be returning to the tournament after a successful time last year.

United’s girls U16 side are the reigning SuperCupNI Premier champions after defeating Northern Ireland 2-1 in the finals a year ago.

Feature image Alex Livesey via Getty Images

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