Manchester United criticised for pulling out of Milk Cup

Manchester United have been criticised by Milk Cup organisers after announcing they will not be attending this year's youth tournament in Northern Ireland.

United have sent a side to the competition every year for the last 25 years, including academy graduates David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville, but will be absent this year even though first team defender Paddy McNair had agreed to make the draw.

A club statement said: "After a thorough assessment of the pre-season training needs of the first team and a detailed assessment of the medical impact of that plan on the reserves, Manchester United has decided not to enter a team in the Dale Farm Milk Cup."

Tournament chairman Victor Leonard said: "We are disappointed by United's decision.

"It is a shock to us and will come as a huge blow to the legions of United supporters in the Province who back the club over the week of our event.

"We had written confirmation from them that they would be competing and the fact they have gone back on their word is extremely disappointing."

We know Paddy was keenly anticipating his role with us on Tuesday but permission for his participation was cancelled.

On the arrangements made with McNair, Leonard added: "We know Paddy was keenly anticipating his role with us on Tuesday but permission for his participation was cancelled

"We had invested considerable time and money on the technical aspect of our visual presentation for the draw itself so that needs to be revamped.

"We are also in the process of finalising another team to replace United."

Manager Louis van Gaal was critical of United's pre-season schedule when he took over the Old Trafford reins last summer.