Oxford beat Leicester City 4-0 in a statement victory under their new head coach, with 18-year-old academy product Mo Missanga scoring and assisting whilst 20-year-old Coventry City loanee Kai Andrews bagged two assists.

19-year-old Luka Lynch, on loan from Premier League club Aston Villa, came off the bench to assist 22-year-old Jamie McDonnell’s fourth goal, youth providing the answer after a summer of tough questions and a transfer embargo hitting the U’s.

Ramsey’s side return home this weekend for the first time since the opening day of the season, sixth-placed Burton Albion visiting the Kassam Stadium.

“That I had opportunities at a young age,” said the 35-year-old boss.

“That’s an important part of it, especially looking into the academy and what that looks like and giving them boys an opportunity and also a pathway.

“So, when they are coming through them age groups that they can see a path all the way through to the first team.

“I think that’s really important for a club to have. And it is for us then to make those decisions, to give them opportunities.

“And they’ve definitely come in. The academy have done a great job.

“We’re seeing why there’s a lot of excitement around this place with the performances that some of those players have shown so far.”

Ramsey himself was thrown into first-team football at Cardiff City when only 16 years of age and secured a move to Arsenal at 17.

Similarly, Missanga has been thrust into the fold at Oxford this season, making his first appearance in senior football on the opening day against MK Dons with a 12-minute cameo.

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The young winger then started his first game in the 3-1 defeat at Huddersfield Town and performed well before starting again at Leicester and stealing the headlines with his two goal contributions.

“He’s obviously a really exciting talent which he’s showcasing at the moment, all of his qualities.

“There is still a long way for him to go in that aspect.

“But he’s definitely come in and hit the ground running. So, really pleased to have him in with us. He’s a player who can make the difference in games.

Oxford United winger Mo Missanga (Image: Oxford United)

“He certainly showed that in the last game. The assist and the calmness and composure that he had then to take his goal was really pleasing and showed all of his qualities.”

The U’s boss also spoke about Villa loanee Lynch after his first appearance.

“We’d been monitoring him for a few weeks, or months, maybe, and that opportunity came up.

“It was really exciting for us because we know all about his qualities. He can work on the right. He can come into the right pockets as well.

“He’s an exciting player who we’re excited to work with.”

The U’s go into the game off the back of an astounding 4-0 victory away from home against Russell Martin’s Leicester City.

Mark Harris bagged a brace whilst Mo Missanga and Jamie McDonnell scored their first goals for the club, young Missanga stealing the headlines with an assist as well on only his second ever senior start.

The Yellows go into the weekend 11th in the table and prepare to face a Burton side who have surprised many with their start to the season and lie sixth in the division.

Here is how we predict Aaron Ramsey’s side to line up in OX4…

Goalkeeper and defence

Since Jamie Cumming’s injury against Stevenage, veteran goalkeeper Simon Eastwood has done an admirable job stepping in.

The 37-year-old has made nine saves and secured one clean sheet in his two starts.

Meanwhile, Cumming returned to the bench at Leicester after one day back training with the team.

Peter Kioso closes down his man at Leicester City (Image: Oxford United)

With a week since the win at the King Power, the first-choice shot-stopper should return to the starting XI with Ramsey previously emphasising his importance, despite Eastwood’s stellar displays.

In defence, it would be hard to split up the four that won United’s first clean sheet of the season.

However, the boss has shown his willingness to rotate, so we expect Jack Currie to return to the line up.

The solid duo of Ciaron Brown and Michal Helik should remain at the heart, whilst Peter Kioso retains his spot at right back.

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Midfield

After one of the best midfield performances from a U’s side in recent memory, it would be a crime to split up the Kai Andrews, Jamie McDonnell and Cameron Brannagan trio.

We saw the very best of McDonnell against the Foxes whilst Coventry City loanee Andrews bagged two assists and captain Brannagan was free to link play with 97 per cent pass accuracy.

Attack

Mo Missanga bagged a goal and assist against Leicester (Image: Oxford United)

Whilst many would pit this game as ample opportunity for a rest, Missanga has made himself almost undroppable after his goal, assist and spectacular performance at Leicester.

It may well be a great chance for a first start for Luka Lynch, however.

The Aston Villa loanee bagged an assist for the fourth goal last week and could come in for Siriki Dembele.

It would mean a more natural position on the left for Missanga and an out-and-out right winger in Lynch for the first time this season.

Oxford United predicted XI vs Burton Albion (Image: Newsquest)

Mark Harris will of course retain his place up top after his brace and invaluable off-ball qualities.

Gatlin O’Donkor provides an alternative and proven impact off the bench.

Oxford predicted XI: Cumming, Kioso, Helik, Brown, Currie, Brannagan, McDonnell, Andrews, Lynch, Harris, Missanga

The ex-Yellows boss has been linked with the vacant managerial post at Adams Park after the Chairboys parted ways with Michael Duff earlier in the week.

Duff’s sacking was the first of the season in the EFL, the former Swansea City and Barnsley manager being relieved of duties after only five games in which Wanderers failed to win.

Bloomfield was sacked by Oxford in June after the club’s relegation from the Championship and was replaced by former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey.

The 42-year-old spent his entire 19-year playing career with Wycombe, captaining the club, before going on to manage the side between 2023 and 2025.

Matt Bloomfield barks orders to Oxford United players from the touchline (Image: Jason Dawson)

After Duff’s dismissal, Bloomfield was asked about a potential return to Buckinghamshire on Sky Sport whilst providing punditry for Stevenage’s 2-1 League One win over one of his other former clubs, Luton Town.

The former U’s boss said: “No, the phone hasn’t rung.

“[Wycombe] is a club that means so much to me.

“I spent 21 years there as a player, as a coach and as a manager. We left the club in great shape.

“I was disappointed for Michael [Duff] because he’s someone I like and respect a lot.

“I was also obviously disappointed for the club because it is a club that means a great deal to me after so many years there.

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“It’s a surprise it has come so early, but the ownership group obviously made their decision and, as we all know in football, you have to move on.”

Wycombe currently sit second-bottom of the League One table having drawn three and lost two of their opening five fixtures.

Matt Bloomfield (left) and Ed Waldron (right) at Stadium MK (Image: ©Jason Dawson)

Bloomfield was alongside Bristol Rovers manager Steve Evans who was confident his colleague in the television studio would be attracting interest.

“He did such a great job at Wycombe,” the Rovers boss said.

“He will be on the radar.”

The former Wanderers and Oxford head coach spent almost two decades at Adams Park before retiring in 2022.

He quickly turned to management, taking over at Colchester United where he steered the club away from the relegation zone in League Two and up the table.

A return to Wycombe came just five months later, replacing his former boss Gareth Ainsworth and subsequently guiding the side to a push for automatic promotion the following season.

Bloomfield took the step up to Championship side Luton Town in January 2025 after an impressive half of the season at Wanderers but was unable to keep the struggling Hatters from relegation.

He was sacked the following season after a disappointing start before being appointed Oxford boss in January of this year.