Manchester United fan groups have hit out at the decision to host the FA Youth Cup final at Manchester City’s academy stadium, calling it a ‘disgrace’.
It was revealed on Tuesday that following protracted negotiations between the two clubs, along with the FA and broadcasters, the match would need to be held at the 7,000-capacity Joie Stadium, which is where City’s academy and women’s side play.
Manchester United offered to host the match at Old Trafford – the FA also recommended this as an option – but City did not want to lose home advantage and rejected all requests, leading to a ferocious response.
‘The news that the FA Youth Cup Final, a great fixture which has heralded so many superstars of the future, is to be played in a stadium of just 7,000 people is a disgrace,’ a statement from the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) and representatives on the Fans’ Forum read.
‘Last time United were in the final we had 67,000 fans in Old Trafford so allowing this massive game to be played in front of such a paltry few fans is letting down supporters and denying these young footballers the biggest night of their careers so far.
‘The FA needs to step in and ensure the game can be played at either the Etihad or Old Trafford. Time to put fans first for once.’
And Joe O’Cearuill, father of 15-year-old United academy starlet JJ Gabriel, hit out on social media, posting: ‘JJ went to the final last time they won at Old Trafford when he was 10 or 11 years old. He said to me daddy I want to play in a final like this with a huge crowd it’s so much fun. Fast forward 5 years he’s u15 got to final and it’s played at youth stadium – robbery of kids dreams.’
City’s academy and women’s side play at the Joie Stadium, which has a 7,000 capacity
Louie Bradbury, Chido Obi and Jay McEvoy celebrate Obi’s crucial extra-time goal at Old Trafford in the Youth Cup semi-final win over Crystal Palace at Old Trafford
Speaking to sources on all sides of this story, Daily Mail Sport understands that the FA provided City with dispensation to play their Youth Cup matches at the Joie Stadium this season.
Darren Fletcher’s United side have played each of their Youth Cup home games at Old Trafford this season, defeating Peterborough United, Derby County, Sunderland and Crystal Palace at home. They also beat Oxford United on the road.
Despite the dispensation given to City, the FA remained keen to see the game at the Etihad Stadium if possible, something City insist is not the case due to ongoing construction work of their North Stand.
City sources remain insistent that work on the stand must continue at pace and using the Etihad Stadium – as they did two years ago when hosting Leeds United – would mean stopping construction on the stand for a day.
City are rushing to get the stand ready for a test event on May 20 so that they can open on the final day of the season against Aston Villa.
Sources close to United’s Under-18s expressed their frustration and disappointment at the final not being held at a first-team stadium, not least given that the previous five finals have been held at Villa Park (2020-21 and 2024-25), Old Trafford (2021-22), Emirates Stadium (2022-23) and the Etihad Stadium (2023-24).
