Darren Fletcher criticises FA as Youth Cup final becomes a ‘Man City parade’

“I’ve never heard individual coaches be shouted out, every individual player be shouted out. That doesn’t happen in Cup finals. So I’m disappointed in the FA for everything that’s gone around this game, for the location, for everything. And then our players having to deal with that. It’s disappointing. You have to stand there.

“You have to respect the opposition. But not when Man City take over an FA Youth Cup. It’s an FA competition. It should never have been like that. But that’s my one gripe for tonight. But the best team won, compliments to them.”

City declined to comment on Fletcher’s complaints but, privately, it is understood officials reacted with some amusement, particularly as the Scot had sent his sons, Jack and Tyler, to City’s academy for their formative years, before they signed for United in July 2023.

Emile Heskey’s son scores winner as Man City beat Man Utd in FA Youth Cup final

Match-winner Reigan Heskey celebrates with his family - Naomi Baker/Getty Images

Pep Guardiola and Michael Carrick were among a star-studded crowd to watch Manchester City triumph in the first all-Manchester FA Youth Cup final for 40 years.

And it was one of those famous faces who had the most to celebrate in the stands. Emile Heskey, the former Liverpool and England striker, was all smiles when his son Reigan popped up to score three minutes from time to secure a 2-1 win for City over rivals Manchester United.

City had led when Floyd Samba bent home a fine free-kick before Godwill Kukonki equalised for United shortly before half-time. But it was Heskey who had the last laugh, darting inside Yuel Helafu and firing into the roof the net after good work by Ryan McAidoo and Jake Wain.

United were disappointed the game was not being played at the Etihad Stadium or moved to Old Trafford so their youngsters could play in front of a big crowd.

As it was, there were large pockets of empty seats in the home sections, something not lost on the United fans who packed out the away end and wasted no time taunting their opponents. “The City is yours, you can’t fill your training ground, are you f------ sure?”

There were no shortage of familiar faces in the stands, though. City manager Guardiola was here as was his United counterpart Carrick, who has made a point of watching as many academy matches as his day job will allow in stark contrast to his predecessor, Ruben Amorim.

Pep Guardiola watches City’s youngsters claim Manchester bragging rights - Naomi Baker/Getty Images

United captain Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, twice an FA Youth Cup final winner with Chelsea against City, and Luke Shaw were huddled together behind the first-team coaching staff, the club’s director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada – both formerly of City.

Phil Foden, who played in the 2017 FA Youth Cup final for City, was watching alongside Antoine Semenyo, Nathan Aké and Max Alleyne.

Phil Foden watches on from the stands - Naomi Baker/Getty Images

The first half was a slow burn. City dominated possession and Teddie Lamb saw a shot from point-blank range saved before Dante Headley stole into the penalty area and went down under a challenge from Noah Ajayi.

It looked like Headley had been nudged in the back by Ajayi, and perhaps had a leg brushed, but referee Tom Nield was not buying it and duly booked the City right-back for diving.

If that seemed a touch harsh, JJ Gabriel could probably not have had too many complaints when he went down far too easily under minimal pressure from Kaden Braithwaite soon after.

City swarmed Gabriel when United looked to get the ball into him. Harrison Miles was tidy in the middle of midfield for City, with Heskey and McAidoo a threat down the flanks.

City took the lead when one of the Samba brothers, Floyd, curled a sublime free-kick into the top corner. The siblings are the sons of Chris, the former Blackburn defender.

City’s lead was short-lived. United had offered little in the way of attacking threat until they worked the ball well from left to right then pulled it back to Jim Thwaites, who stood up a cross. Kukonki attacked the ball just as Leke Drake slipped to head home.

Heskey said: “It’s an amazing feeling, I thought we were on top of them the whole game. My dad shows me some videos sometimes (from his playing days). He’s very proud of me.”

09:27pm

Braithwaite reacts

“It needed to be done. I am so happy and proud of everyone who contributed. Last year we were disappointed, so we had to make things right. Credit to United, it was a top game from the first whistle.

“We train for this and we had to do what we do best.”

Manchester City’s Kaden Braithwaite lifts the FA Youth Cup trophy - Naomi Baker/Getty Images

09:25pm

City’s Harrison Miles reacts

“Last year was really disappointing, but to win today is amazing. When we played them in the league it was tight. After we scored, they hit back straight away and we had to regroup at the break.

“The two wide players are electric, you just have to give them the ball and you don’t know what they are going to do.”

09:16pm

Calamitous scenes as City lift the trophy

City’s turn to come up and receive their winners’ final. Captain Braithwaite is last up and collects the trophy.

He walks up to his team-mates and lifts the trophy high, kicking off big celebrations behind him.

Unfortunately, the players knock down the presentation boards and crash to the floor with Braithwaite the last to get back on his feet. Credit to him, though, because he didn’t drop the trophy.

09:08pm

Time for the trophy presentation

Beaten finalists United are first up to collect their medals. Lots of downbeat faces on the players. A tough night for them.

09:01pm

City are the 2026 Youth Cup winners

08:54pm

FULL TIME: Man City 2 Man Utd 1

All over and City are Youth Cup winners again. Fully deserved victory for City young players.

08:52pm

90+5min: Man City 2 Man Utd 1

Bodies on the floor everywhere as the young men struggle with cramp.

08:50pm

90+3min: Man City 2 Man Utd 1

Cross from Brown into the near post. Overy connects with it but the direction is lacking.

08:49pm

90+1min: Man City 2 Man Utd 1

Four minutes added on. Four minutes for United to find an equaliser.

08:48pm

90min: Man City 2 Man Utd 1

United sub:
OFF  Ajayi, Helafu
ON Lusale, Plunkett

City sub: 
OFF Heskey, McAidoo
ON Parker, Midwood

08:46pm

86min: Man City 2 Man Utd 1 GOAL

Is that the winner? It had been coming. City have United penned in their box and work the ball from right to left where Heskey collects it.

The winner checks inside his man and rifles a shot into the top corner past Byrne-Hughes. Brilliant finish.

Emotional scenes in the stands for Heskey’s father Emile, the former England international.

08:40pm

83min: Man City 1 Man Utd 1

Thwaites’ delivery is into the near post and headed clear by City captain Braithwaite, who gets a bump for his troubles by a United player.

08:39pm

81min: Man City 1 Man Utd 1

Into the final 10 minutes. Will we get a late winner? Well, Brown has won a free-kick deep in City’s half and Thwaites is standing over the ball...

08:36pm

79min: Man City 1 Man Utd 1

United sub: 
OFF Kukoni 
ON Overy

08:36pm

77min: Man City 1 Man Utd 1

More direct play from McAidoo. He drives into the United area and his shot is deflected, looping over Byrne-Hughes and hitting the bar.

United eventually clear the danger.

08:33pm

74min: Man City 1 Man Utd 1

Byrne-Hughes has gone down and says he needs treatment. That allows players on both sides to receive tactical advice from their managers. We’ve seen that happen at the senior level and I guess it has filtered down.

Byrne-Hughes was never seen by the United medics, which suggests he was told to go down. Unsportsmanlike play by United there.

08:30pm

72min: Man City 1 Man Utd 1

City turning the screw now. They are dominating the ball and United are forced to sit deep and dig in. United boss Darren Fletcher might be thinking of changes to turn the momentum in their favour.

08:25pm

68min: Man City 1 Man Utd 1

City sub:
OFF T Samba
ON Gorman

08:22pm

65min: Man City 1 Man Utd 1

City skipper Braithwaite is booked for pulling back Obi near the halfway line. That has been a very physical battle.

08:21pm

63min: Man City 1 Man Utd 1

Heskey flies down the left wing and drills a cross into the box where Lamb meets it on the volley but the ball goes over the bar. Probably could have done better but it was a tough ball to deal with.

08:20pm

60min: Man City 1 Man Utd 1

Have not seen much from Gabriel tonight apart from the moment he was booked. Plenty of time left to make a decisive impact.

08:13pm

55min: Man City 1 Man Utd 1

Excellent play by McAidoo to beat Kukoni down the outside and burst into the box. He has only the keeper to beat but blazes his shot over the bar.

08:10pm

52min: Man City 1 Man Utd 1

Blistering pace and power by McAidoo to burst from one penalty to the other. He lays it off to Heskey, who was following him all the way but his effort hits the outside of the near post. Should have got that on target I think.

08:05pm

47min: Man City 1 Man Utd 1

City want a penalty after Samba goes down after Byrne-Hughes clatters into him. Replays suggest Samba was brought down and the foul was missed by the referee.

08:03pm

SECOND HALF: Man City 1 Man Utd 1

United get the match back under way and they have made a change with the booked McCormack replaced by Brown.

07:48pm

HALF TIME: Man City 1 Man Utd 1

The whistle blows and that was a dramatic end to a tense half of football. Diving, hard tackles and two goals.

What will the second half have for us?

07:46pm

45min: Man City 1 Man Utd 1

One minute added on.

07:45pm

41min: Man City 1 Man Utd 1 GOAL

59 seconds later and United hit back to equalise. Thwaites clips a cross to the far post, there is a slip by a City defender and Kukoni takes full advantage, rising highest to head into the far corner off the post.

This match has come alive.

07:43pm

39min: Man City 1 Man Utd 0 GOAL

Deadlock broken in stunning fashion. McCormack is booked for a foul 25 yards out. It is just left of centre but Samba steps up and whips a stunning free kick into the top corner past the dive of Byrne-Hughes.

Floyd Samba and Tyrone Samba are the sons of former Blackburn defender Chris Samba.

07:41pm

37min: Man City 0 Man Utd 0

Interesting call by referee Field. After booking City’s Headley for diving, United’s Gabriel is the next in the book for simulation.

The United attacker bursts into the box, dribbles past one then another, feels a bit of the contact and goes down. Right call for me.

Now JJ Gabriel has been booked for diving - and this time it’s valid. The United youngster goes to ground far too easily

07:38pm

35min: Man City 0 Man Utd 0

Great move by United from back to front. Obi feeds Gabriel down the right. The United No 10 pulls it back to Obi, who takes a touch and shoots but Braithwaite blocks brilliantly.

07:35pm

33min: Man City 0 Man Utd 0

Headley is booked for diving in the penalty area. The City defender feels a bit of contact and throws himself to the ground. Never a penalty despite City’s appeals.

It’s been all City so far. Lamb drew a point blank save from Byrne-Hughes and Headley is unfortunate not to win a penalty there - and instead get booked for diving. It looked like Ajayi nudged him in the back and perhaps clipped his leg.

07:32pm

30min: Man City 0 Man Utd 0

Haven’t seen much from City duo Lamb and Heskey. They are City’s dangermen along with McAidoo.

07:26pm

24min: Man City 0 Man Utd 0

Brilliant save by Byrne-Hughes to deny Lamb. A free-kick is clipped into the United box, the ball is headed back across the goal to the unmarked Lamb just outside the six-yard box. He toe pokes it towards goal but Byrne-Hughes stays big and makes the block.

07:22pm

20min: Man City 0 Man Utd 0

First sighter for Obi, who picks up the ball inside the box and blazes an effort over the bar. The angle was against him on this occasion, but I expect his next attempt to be closer.

07:19pm

17min: Man City 0 Man Utd 0

Referee Tom Nield is willing to let a lot of physical challenges go without blowing the whistle so far, which is good to see. Let the kids battle!

07:15pm

13min: Man City 0 Man Utd 0

First shot on target of the final comes from Headley but his effort is straight at Byrne-Hughes.

07:14pm

11min: Man City 0 Man Utd 0

United very keen to play out from the back and goalkeeper Byrne-Hughes has looked confident and comfortable on the ball but City’s Lamb blocks an attempted clearance and fortunately for him, the ball goes out of play.

07:08pm

7min: Man City 0 Man Utd 0

Amid the furore about the stadium, it is interesting to see that the away end is packed with United fans but there are plenty of empty blue seats amongst the home fans.

Lots of empty seats in the City sections. United fans are singing: “The City yours, you can’t fill your training ground, are you f------ sure?”

07:06pm

4min: Man City 0 Man Utd 0

First sign of JJ Gabriel as he picks up the ball on the half turn and feeds Ibragimov on the right but the winger’s attempted cross goes out of play.

07:00pm

KICK OFF

City get tonight’s match under way!

06:58pm

Big names at Joie Stadium

Pep Guardiola, Michael Carrick, Bruno Fernandes, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount are all at the Joie Stadium to watch tonight’s match.

Former City academy director Jason Wilcox, now United’s director of football, and United CEO Omar Berrada, also formerly of City, are also here.

06:56pm

JJ Gabriel vs Teddie Lamb at the heart of all-Manchester FA Youth Cup final

Teddie Lamb and JJ Gabriel will showcase their talents on English youth football’s biggest stage.

The banter was flying between JJ Gabriel, Manchester United’s teenage prodigy, and Teddie Lamb at the last England Under-17 camp at St George’s Park in March.

“I was saying to him ‘You need to stop scoring so I can get that top spot!’” Lamb, the prolific young Manchester City striker, reflects, laughing.

“No, it’s healthy competition. It pushes me and I think it pushes him. He wants to score more goals and it’s pushed me to my limits this season to want to score more goals. It’s just that pride you have as a striker. You always want to score goals.”

The two emerging talents in England’s youth set-up resemble a classic big-man-little-man duo upfront, but Lamb and Gabriel will be on opposite sides when City and United’s Under-18s compete in the first all-Manchester FA Youth Cup final for 40 years at the Joie Stadium.

06:53pm

Wayne Rooney’s son Kai misses out for United

Manchester United’s Kai Rooney (left) with team-mates in the stands before the FA Youth Cup final - Peter Byrne/PA

06:42pm

United’s starting XI

Man Utd: Byrne-Hughes, Helafu, Mills, Armer ©, Kukoni, McCormack, Ibragimov, Thwaites, Obi, Gabriel, Ajayi
Subs: Overy, Heath, Plunkett, Brown, McEvoy, Lusale, Bradbury

06:41pm

City’s starting XI

Man City: Hudson, Headley, Drake, Braithwaite ©, Wain, Miles, McAidoo,  F. Samba, Lamb, T. Samba, R. Heskey
Subs: Vickery, Courtman, Tevenan, Gorman, Cassim, Parker, Midwood

06:28pm

Best young talent in English football meet in the final

Hello and welcome to coverage of the FA Youth Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United.

It is a chance to get a glimpse of the potential stars of the future. Will they play for England one day? Can they break into the first team sooner rather than later?

Those are questions which will be answered in time but tonight’s match, which is a derby of course, has a lot at stake.

This is City’s third appearance in a row in the final, winning in 2024 but losing last year to Aston Villa 3-1.

United have won the tournament a record eleven times, and last lifted the trophy in 2022 – which included Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho.

The biggest controversy going into the final is the decision not to play the final at a major stadium.

City turned down an offer to switch the match to United’s Old Trafford ground and the game will instead be played at the 6,447-capacity Joie Stadium.

It is not being played at the Etihad because of “ongoing construction timelines for the North Stand development”.

“We’re disappointed for everyone, disappointed for the Man City players, for our players fundamentally, for the fans, for the coaches on both sides. Everyone involved in the game will be disappointed,” United’s under-18s coach, Darren Fletcher said.

“But ultimately, we move on from it now and we take on the challenge of playing in the academy stadium. It’s done now, so there’s no point in dwelling on it.”

Manchester United Supporters Trust and Manchester United Fans’ Forum representatives called the decision to move the final to the 7,000-capacity ground “a disgrace” in a joint statement and the club have been handed an allocation of just 968 tickets.

Some of the players who have graced the event over the decades read like a who’s who of British football.

Duncan Edwards, Bobby Charlton, George Best, Graeme Souness, Paul Gascoigne, John Barnes, Ryan Giggs, Michael Owen, Jack Wilshere and, more latterly, Marc Guéhi, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers.

Who will add their name to that illustrious list tonight?

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