Manchester United’s under-18s side have been dealt an injury blow ahead of tonight’s FA Youth Cup final, with United confirming the starting XI.
Centre-back Tyler Fredricson was not passed fit to start and misses out on the squad altogether.
Fredericson, 17, had started all five games to reach the final and played every minute, including helping United keep a clean sheet in the semi-final at Old Trafford.
He has been replaced by centre-back Louis Jackson, 16, (above), who played 90 minutes in the two opening games against Scunthorpe and away at Reading.
Jackson is the captain of the under-16s, and made his under-18s debut last season. He recently switched allegiance from England’s youth sides to represent Scotland at under-17s level. He also played in an under-23 friendly last summer.
Youth Cup starting XI
Youth Cup starting XI: Vitek, Jurado, Bennett, Jackson, Murray, Gore, Mainoo, Hansen-Aaroen, Mather, Garnacho, McNeill.
Substitutes: Wooster, Pye, Forson, Aljofree, Oyedele, Hugill, Ennis.
Aside from Jackson coming in for Fredricson, United’s line-up is the same as the quarter-final and semi-final.
Old Trafford awaits
More than 63,000 fans are due at Old Trafford to watch the Youth Cup final which kicks off at 7.30pm, with United facing Nottingham Forest.
Alejandro Garnacho is due to be presented with the Jimmy Murphy Award for best academy player of the season.
United have hosted four games on the way to the final, with Garnacho and Charlie McNeill each scoring five goals.
This is United’s first Youth Cup final since 2011, reaching the semi-finals in 2020.
- Manchester United 4-2 Scunthorpe (Mather, Garnacho, Oyedele, McNeill)
- Reading 1-3 Manchester United (Mainoo, Mather, McNeill)
- Manchester United 4-1 Everton (McNeill, Mainoo, Mather, Garnacho)
- Manchester United 2-1 Leicester (Garnacho x 2)
- Manchester United 3-0 Wolves (McNeill x 2, Garnacho)
- Manchester United 2-1 Nottingham Forest (Bennett, Garnacho x 2)