Academy Weekly: FA Youth Cup winners

The Youth Cup is one of the world’s most prestigious and storied youth football tournaments. Its alumni stretches from United’s own Busby Babes - five-time consecutive winners in the 1950s - through to current Premier League stars, including our own Tom Heaton (2003 winner), Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard (2011 winners), and Emile Smith-Rowe, Tariq Lamptey, Reece James, Mason Mount, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Marc Guehi, Conor Gallagher and Kieran Trippier.

This was United’s first victory since 2011, with captain Rhys Bennett scoring with a header early on and Alejandro Garnacho finding the net twice to seal victory in the second half.

The Youth Cup is intrinsically linked to the story of United. Our 10 victories chronicle how the Academy has proved the bedrock of success here, and number 11, even in just one night, was a crucial reminder of what makes this club special. A record-breaking 67,492-strong Old Trafford crowd watched on, as fans showed their unerring commitment to supporting the next generation of Academy talent.

Here’s everything you need to know from the last seven days at the Academy...

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Record-breaking crowd

The previous FA Youth Cup record of 38,187 - set at the Emirates for our 2007 semi-final against Arsenal - was shattered. The result was a truly magical night at Old Trafford where a cup final, first-team like atmosphere was created.

Nick Cox, head of Academy, penned an open letter to our supporters on Thursday morning in which he said: “The passion and atmosphere last night will stay with this group forever and stand every single one of our players in great stead for the remainder of their careers. We have to thank you for that.”

You can read the full letter here, and for an insight into just how fantastic an occasion it was, read the thoughts of four club reporters who attended.

Academy-at-large in attendance

After two years of pandemic-interrupted work and the severe restriction of social meetings between colleagues, Wednesday proved a wonderful chance for Academy staff to meet up en masse once again. All were in attendance to celebrate, as well as members of every Academy age group side.

Also present were Nicky Butt, Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna, former coaches who were guests of the Academy and invited as a sign of thanks for the important role they played in the development of this young side. Butt was formerly head of Academy, McKenna lead coach of the Under-18s and Carrick proved a crucial link between the youth teams and the first team during his time as a coach.

Paul McGuinness (former U18s manager), Les Kershaw (former Academy director) and Mike Glennie (former Academy co-ordinator) were also guests of the Academy as thanks for their key roles in the past.

Under-23s show support

At full-time, the U23s squad in attendance sprinted onto the pitch to join the celebrations, demonstrating the friendships forged across age groups inside the Academy. Recently-crowned U23s Player of the Year Alvaro Fernandez joined others - including Hannibal, Shola Shoretire and Teden Mengi - in helping the young Reds relish the moment.

Player of the Year awards

Fernandez was presented with the Denzil Haroun trophy at half-time of the Old Trafford final. Nick Cox explained why the Spanish full-back was chosen:

“Alvaro has been a standout performer from a really strong of players. We deliberately keep this age group young and that is certainly evidenced by the fact that Alvaro has won this award despite only turning 19 in March.

“Alvaro has also been an excellent role model and support for his team-mates, displaying all of the characteristics that the Academy want to see from our young players.

“The opportunities that he has earnt himself to travel with the first-team and experience that environment are extremely well deserved through his hard work and dedication."

Double Cup final goalscorer Alejandro Garnacho was named U18s Player of the Year and was also presented his award - the Jimmy Murphy trophy - last week. His determination in adapting to a new club during the pandemic was cited as one of the reasons by Cox.

“Alejandro has shown great determination from the day that he arrived here from Spain, in the middle of a pandemic,” he said.

“He has adapted extremely well to life in Manchester and continues to improve on the pitch every day.

“Making his first-team debut last month was the culmination of a great deal of hard work from Alejandro himself, his family and a dedicated group of Academy staff. The call-up that he received from Argentina is another fantastic indicator of the progress he has made this season.

“He remains grounded considering all that he has achieved this year and we know that he will continue to grow within our youth development system."

Important loan developments

Massive congratulations to Welsh midfielder Dylan Levitt. The 21-year-old has been voted the Fans’ Player of the Year at Dundee United. Levitt endured difficult spells with Charlton Athletic and in Croatia with NK Istra last season and has now flourished in Scotland. His performances over the last few months have featured several excellent goals, including a wonderful long-range strike against Celtic to earn a draw and secure a first European qualification for Dundee United since 2012.

Fellow midfielder James Garner played the full 90 minutes as Nottingham Forest managed a 2-1 away victory at Sheffield United in the Championship play-off semi-final first-leg. The second and deciding leg will be played on Tuesday evening (19:45 BST).

Under-23s coach departs

Neil Ryan, Manchester United Under-23s assistant coach, will leave his role at the end of the season to take up a new position as National Coach with the English Football Association youth set-up.

Ryan, son of former United player and coach, Jim Ryan, has worked with the Academy for an incredible 19 years.

He began his time with Manchester United in 2003 coaching the Under-11s, subsequently working with every age group before taking over as Under-18s lead coach in 2018. Ahead of the 2021/22 season, Ryan undertook the assistant coach role with the Under-23s. Neil is proud to have worked with a total of 39 players who have made senior appearances for United. Read more here.

League draw wraps up the season

Despite Manni Norkett’s early second-half goal, the U18s couldn’t complete a comeback victory over Forest in Saturday lunchtime’s league game after Dale Taylor had put the visitors ahead after 34 minutes. The result means United have finished third in the U18 Premier League North.

COMING UP THIS WEEK

League seasons finished

The U18s and U23s have both concluded their league campaigns. Having already engaged in several tournaments at home and abroad, the Academy’s other age groups will continue to experience new tests over the coming weeks. Already in May, the U15s have played at Charlton’s Valley Gold competition and the 2012-born players, for example, at an international tournament in Italy and another in Berlin. More information on the Academy's summer programme and objectives will follow in future editions of Academy Weekly.