Ole Gunnar Solskjaer expects Manchester United’s youngsters to emerge all the stronger from their baptism of fire at Old Trafford - but admits Chelsea are now reaping the rewards of their rising talents’ rich loan experiences.

United travel to Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday night to face an in-form Chelsea side searching for an eighth successive win in all competitions.

Like United, Chelsea have put their faith in a favourite former player in Frank Lampard to oversee a rebuilding job with youth at its core.

Academy graduates Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori are among those leading Chelsea’s charge this season, with Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James also firmly in the picture.

And Solskjaer says the benefits many of those players have gained from successful loan spells in the Premier League, Championship or overseas is what currently sets them apart from the majority of his United youngsters, who have been promoted straight to the first team from the academy.