the Under-23s during their promotion season last term, are now out on loan; Ethan Galbraith, Ethan Laird, Reece Devine and D'mani Mellor are all injured, the latter for the whole campaign; current academy hotshot Teden Mengi is with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first team squad.
Add in the fact that forward talents Angel Gomes and Largie Ramizani have both left the club and you have the tricky situation that faced Wood on this Friday night in Leigh.
It was an evening when United were blown away by a more composed and savvy Liverpool side, under the stewardship of Barry Lewtas, before offering a glimmer of hope late on.
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