United into FA Youth Cup finals: Manchester United U18s 2-1 Crystal Palace U18s

Benetton was caught out of his goal shortly after, which saw JJ Gabriel cross to Lusale to head towards goal, but Benetton was able to recover in time to make a save off the line.

United eventually took a deserved lead in the 77th minute. Obi displayed a good bit of hold-up play before spinning between two defenders and slipping Gabriel through into the box to finish over the keeper.

The lead was short-lived, though, as a mistake from Cameron Byrne-Hughes saw the United keeper fumble the ball, allowing for an easy finish for Raihaan Anderson.

The mistake saw a loss of confidence at the back for United, and shortly after, another mix-up ended up with Palace striking the post, but United ultimately held on to bring it into extra time.

Extra time

Both sides were visibly exhausted going into extra time, and the sting came out of the match with a number of stoppages for cramps.

With penalties on the cards, Fred Heath was warming up on the sideline potentially to replace Byrne-Hughes, but the move was not needed as Obi delivered a late blow in the 117th minute.

James Overy played a curled through ball into Obi, who rounded the keeper before firing into the open net to give United the victory.

United now advance to the FA Youth Cup final, where they will take on crosstown rivals Manchester City at the Etihad.

Match facts

United: Byrne-Hughes, Helafu (Overy 98), Mills, Armer (C), Kukonki, McCormack, Thwaites, Brown (Lusale 64), Gabriel (McEvoy 110), Ajayi (Bradbury 115), Obi

Unused subs: Heath, Shah, J. Watson

Goals: Gabriel 77, Obi 117

Featured image Matt McNulty via Getty Images

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