'Proud' Reiss hails 'special' final victory over Man Utd

[Getty Images]

Manchester City Under-18s boss Oliver Reiss says he is "proud" of his players and it was "special" to beat rivals Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup final.

Reiss' side were beaten in two finals last season but have bounced back to claim the Premier League U18 North and made it a double on Thursday evening.

Reigan Heskey was the match-winner, scoring a late winning goal allowing City to overcome United 2-1. The win mirrored success over United in the final in 1986 - the first time there was an all-Manchester final.

"Just great, really just great," said German coach Reiss. "And of course it was a final, it was the title at the end, but I think I have to mention that this was also a special one of course.

"So playing against United after 40 years, these things, I don't know, but I this makes it a little bit more special for us and just proud and very happy."

There had been controversy in the build-up over the game being played at the 7,000-capacity Joie Stadium, as City said Etihad Stadium was unavailable because of ongoing construction work.

Reiss added: "I think the crowd was unbelievable today, both supporter sides were unbelievable today. And this is a different atmosphere when it is close or when it's tight. So we were really happy to play at the end.

"I know the discussions around this of course, but at the end we were happy to be here. My family was here. So to celebrate with them together was unbelievable and it made this place also special for us to play this final especially here."

Listen to Man City U18 captain Kaden Braithwaite and Reigan Heskey react to win