Michael Carrick has hit out at Man City’s decision not to host the FA Youth Cup final at the Etihad Stadium, therefore, moving it to the 7,000-capacity Joie Stadium.
Manchester United’s under-18s secured a place in the FA Youth Cup final last month with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.
Darren Fletcher’s young side is not only in the FA Youth Cup final, but they’re also in the U18s Premier League title race with Man City.
The FA Youth Cup final between City and United will take place on May 14, but the excitement around the match has taken a blow following an absurd decision to move the game from the Etihad.
City have rejected the Etihad as a venue: Where should the FA YOUTH CUP FINAL be held?
Michael Carrick slams Man City’s FA Youth Cup decision
City confirmed on Tuesday that next Thursday’s final would be played at Joie Stadium, which is predominantly used for the youth and women’s teams.
United were allocated only 968 tickets, which sold out in under two minutes after going on sale at 10 am on Thursday.
The excuses given for the match not being played at the Etihad Stadium include scheduling constraints for the first team, but they’ve also forbidden the match from being held at Old Trafford.
Carrick broke his silence on the decision to move the FA Youth Cup final on Thursday at his press conference. He admitted disappointment at City for preventing the youth players involved from a fantastic opportunity to play at the Etihad or Old Trafford.
“Yeah, I’m disappointed, to be honest,” Carrick told reporters.
“I think getting to the Youth Cup final always seems to have always been a thing where you play at the main stadium and it’s such a showcase event for players of that age group. So we’re disappointed.
“I think I’ve had some amazing memories, some of my best memories, in that competition of playing with your close mates and it’s a shame that it hasn’t worked out for whatever reason.
“But listen, for the boys to go there, it’s a fantastic game, it’s a great opportunity. I’m sure the game itself will be good and I’m looking forward to going and watching, supporting the boys.”
It seems as though City are reluctant to host the game at a stadium where they will be significantly outnumbered by United fans and unable to sell out their own allocation.
This means City are the only team that have hosted the Youth Cup final at their training ground this century, having staged four previous finals at the Joie Stadium.
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Michael Carrick reflects on Man Utd’s FA Youth Cup triumph in 2022
Kobbie Mainoo was a prominent member of United’s FA Youth Cup-winning side in 2022.
United beat Nottingham Forest in the final, but that occasion was made so much more memorable due to the fact that it was held at Old Trafford.
With a crowd of more than 67,000 in attendance, this is proof City are missing out on a massive opportunity, but it’s a greater cost for the players involved.
Carrick added: “Yeah, I was at that game, the Forest game so special, special night you know to to see the stadium full for a game like that. It was kind of what you’d what you’d hoped really for that. It is what it is that and there’s nothing from what I know that can be done about it. It’s kind of agreed, and hopefully, as years go by then, then it can be, can be flipped to the main stadiums.”
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