City will face Notts County and Barnsley in Group D of the 2025/26 Vertu Trophy.
The Imps will take on Sky Bet League Two side Notts County in the group who start the season under new head coach Martin Paterson as well as fellow Sky Bet League One side Barnsley.
The group will be completed with a Premier League U21 side, with the draw taking place on Sky Sports News from 2.30pm on Thursday 26 June.
Ball numbers:
- Everton U21
- Leeds United U21
- Liverpool U21
- Manchester City U21
- Manchester United U21
- Newcastle United U21
- Nottingham Forest U21
- Wolverhampton Wanderers U21
Northern section groups
Group A Salford City Stockport County Wigan Athletic | Group B Barrow Blackpool Tranmere Rovers | Group C Bradford City Doncaster Rovers Grimsby Rovers | Group D Barnsley Lincoln City Notts County |
Group E Bolton Wanderers Oldham Athletic Rotherham United | Group F Harrogate Town Huddersfield Town Mansfield Town | Group G Accrington Stanley Fleetwood Town Port Vale | Group H Burton Albion Chesterfield Crewe Alexandra |