Manchester United’s Under-18s will take on Manchester City’s Under-18s in the FA Youth Cup next week, but it will not be at the Etihad Stadium as hoped.
In mid-April, Manchester United U18s secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace to book their spot in the FA Youth Cup final.
A recent 2-0 defeat to Newcastle U18s means that United’s academy side are on the back foot in their U18s Premier League title race against Manchester City.
But the Red Devils have a chance to win one of the most prestigious cups available to an academy side when they go head-to-head with City in the FA Youth Cup final on Thursday, May 14.
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Man Utd U18s vs Man City U18s moves venue
As reported by Manchester Evening News, there was hope that the final would be played at City’s home ground Etihad Stadium.
However, an agreement on a date for the game at the Etihad could not be struck. As a result, the final will be played at the Joie Stadium.
The Joie Stadium is home to City’s academy and women’s side, with a capacity of 7,000.
City will still have home advantage as they were drawn as the home side for the final. As per Steven Railston via X, United offered to host the clash at Old Trafford.
Because City’s first team have a packed schedule of Premier League games, they decided not to host the final at the Etihad Stadium and instead to move the showpiece to the Joie Stadium.
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Man Utd hopeful for record 12th FA Youth Cup victory
United last won the FA Youth Cup in 2022 when the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho were key players in the academy side.
Remarkably, United have won the FA Youth Cup 11 times, more than any other English football club. Chelsea are second with nine wins.
City have won the competition four times in their history, last winning it in 2024.
United duo JJ Gabriel and Chido Obi have been labelled the “future” by Rio Ferdinand, and they will hope to cement their legacy by bringing another FA Youth Cup trophy back to Old Trafford.
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