Liam Manning has labelled today’s clash an “extremely difficult game” as second-placed U’s face play third-place Stevenage in Sky Bet League One.

Stevenage were promoted as runners from League Two in Steve Evans’ first season in charge and have started life well this season.

The Boro have won five of their opening nine games leaving them third in the table only one place United on goals scored, as both clubs share the same points tally and goal difference.

Stevenage are unbeaten at home in the league and the U’s have won every league game on the road going since the opening-day defeat to Cambridge going into today’s game.

Prior to the game, Manning has praised Evans’ time at Stevenage and expects it to be a challenging afternoon.

He said: “It’s going to be an extremely difficult game so we have to make sure we are ready for it.

“I have a huge amount of respect for what Steve Evans has done in his career and even what he has done at Stevenage if you look how quickly he has turned them around.

“They obviously carry really good momentum of the back of last season in how they have started this season so it is going to be an extremely difficult game but one we are up for and when we are looking forward to and one we go into of the back of a good run as well.”

On Stevenage’s style of play, Manning said: “So much is made on style but when you really look at it, it’s around finding a way to get an outcome from the game.

“I think what Steve has done there is create that clarity in what they try and do and how they try and do it.

“There is no right or wrong in football, I think there is just a way of working.

“We found a way at the weekend of winning which wasn’t necessarily exactly how we wanted to but I thought we were terrific out of possession.”

Asked if he was surprised by Stevenage’s league position, Manning responded by saying he doesn’t pay “too much attention” to the table.

He said: “Sometimes you get that momentum and bounce having won numerous games last season and you get that carried forward.

“They have added to the group and it’s a tough place to go. I don’t give too much energy into who is where in the table and why and what they have done.

“For me, it is week to week and game to game and what they have been doing style-wise and what we do to combat that to come out on top.”

Speaking about the U’s after Stevenage’s 3-0 victory at Cheltenham Town, Evans said: “They are former League Cup winners, a former Division One side and they have just beaten second in the league Exeter City 3-0.

“With the new owners there, they have invested a huge amount of money and brought a good manager in. They will bring a big support so the away end will be full.”