The team, who turned professional in 2013, face a trip to Seoul next month for the International Blind Sports Association World Games, before hosting the European Championships in August – a competition that they need to reach the final of to qualify for the Rio Paralympics.

Ex-England international refused to be drawn into making a prediction, stating that the latest meeting of the Mancunian giants was too close to call.

Manchester United’s Ferdinand, a member of the commission, has backed the introduction of Premier League B teams into the Football League pyramid, part of a bid to tackle the faltering national side’s fortunes