Like with the first team, the domestic football season is approaching its conclusion in the academy set-up and it has been a pretty challenging time the man charged with preparing the U18s team, coach Peter Farrell.

The hectic end-of-season schedule for the club's reserve team has resulted in a number of the scholars playing regular football for the second string.

This in turn has meant that Peter Farrell has had to juggle his squad, with many of next year's intake of new scholars given an early opportunity to showcase their talents.

The last three fixtures have yielded a 4-0 victory over Derby County, a 5-0 defeat to Sunderland and a 3-1 reverse to Huddersfield Town.

This has given Farrell plenty of food for thought, which on the whole has offered plenty of encouragement as he explains.

"The performance against Derby County was pretty pleasing because we played a lot of the U16s and the scholars that are coming through for next season. It was a good win in the end because Derby are a good side, so we thought we would keep faith and stick with the same players for the following game.

"We knew Sunderland would be very strong because they are top of their league. It was more of a tester for the younger boys, giving them a feel of it. We are trying to make sure that they hit the ground running, plus a lot of my boys, about six or seven of them, have been playing regularly for the reserves.

"I have to be careful that I don't give them too many games, which means I've had to bring the younger boys in. They are not as strong because they are still developing but it is something that we have got to persevere with.

"The big shock for them is the difference in tempo between U16s and U18s. It's about making the players aware of different situations and that is where the sports science side of things is very good because it does help to give an insight.

"But I must say that I have been impressed with next year's scholars. Nathan Battersby, Lewis Proudfoot, and a few others have done well, even some of the U15s too. Their discipline and attitude is fantastic, and all this makes me hope that we will have a strong team for next season.

"All these factors do affect the planning because it means that you only get the scholars on a Friday morning, if, say for example the reserves have been playing on a Tuesday evening. But as long as they are getting reserve team football and playing with the some of the first team then it is vital experience for them."

Because of the scholars' involvement in the reserve team set-up, Farrell has developed a strong working relationship with coach Alan Cork.

Farrell added: "Alan Cork has been brilliant with the lads and has given them all opportunities which is a credit to him because he didn't have to do it. The players most train with me and not the first team, but Alan has spent time assessing them.

"He is very fair with them and he will give them all a chance, plus he will be working regularly with the current second years next season so he does need to have a proper look at them."

With three U18s games left against Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool and Manchester City, plus the Manchester Senior Cup final to look forward to next Tuesday, Farrell is hopeful that there will be a positive end to the season in the club's youth department.

He added: "I'm confident that we will have a good run-in because we have had a poor season. Even though we did have a great run in the FA Youth Cup, it has been disappointing.

"It would be nice to get three clean sheets and three more wins and I don't see any reason why we can't as long as the lads are focused on that."