Over 1,000 Reds expected at Youth Cup semi-final

Tickets remain available thanks to Aston Villa opening up an extra section for our magnificent travelling support.

We know it’s no small ask getting to a different city on a Monday evening, in time for a 19:00 BST kick-off. The players and staff are so appreciative of those expected to do so.

Pre-match, Under-18s lead coach Adam Lawrence paid tribute to the United fans who helped our young Reds progress in last month’s quarter-final at Arsenal.

“There was a nice moment — it wasn’t nice at the time! — when we were 2-1 down and it was just in that period where we looked like we might be running out of ideas and you could hear singing coming from the crowd,” Lawrence recalled.

“And I realised it was the Man United fans, it wasn’t the Arsenal fans!

“People can’t take it for granted how much the players appreciate the support from all the supporters and that extra bit of energy that it gives them.”

The 3-2 extra-time victory at the Emirates Stadium was the most dramatic of our four Youth Cup games so far this season, but all have been entertaining. Before facing the Gunners, United had hit five past each of Coventry City, Preston North End and Chelsea, all at home.

The winners of Aston Villa v Manchester United will host the FA Youth Cup final, facing the winners of Watford v Manchester City.

If you’d like to attend Monday’s game, tickets remain available through Aston Villa’s website, here. Please buy your tickets in blocks B1, B2 or B3, where our supporters have been encouraged to congregate. We can’t wait to hear your support.

Please note, due to FA restrictions, we are not showing the game live on MUTV but we will post highlights on Tuesday. The action is to be shown on the FA Player and YouTube channel.