Manchester United reach first FA Youth Cup final since 2011

Wednesday 09 March 2022 20:55

Manchester United have reached the FA Youth Cup Final for the first time since 2011 after a 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford.

Goals from Charlie McNeill and Alejandro Garnacho set up a final at the Theatre of Dreams against either Nottingham Forest or Chelsea.

The Under-18s have triumphed over Scunthorpe United, Reading, Everton, Leicester City, and now Wolves to secure their place in the one-legged fixture.

United are the most successful club in FA Youth Cup history, with 10 tournament victories, and the side that last lifted the trophy 11 years ago included current first-team players Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard.

United dominated the first half, with a strong Garnacho run in the box earning the first in a succession of corners. Pressure eventually paid off when Isak Hansen-Aaroen slipped Charlie McNeill through down the right wing and the Manchester-born striker duly rounded the goalkeeper and found the back of the net.

Before the end of the half, Garnacho would have a shot cleared off the line, and Hansen-Aaroean and McNeill watched efforts head just wide of the left post.

Wolves caused concern early in the second half with a resurgent pressure on the United goal, but ‘keeper Radek Vitek remained unchallenged. The visitors’ best chance was when Dexter Lembikisa pulled it back for Tyler Roberts, but the no. 11’s shot sailed over.

United found a rhythm again quickly, McNeill shooting wide of the left post 10 minutes in after Kobbie Mainoo’s excellent throughball.

Three minutes later, the lead was doubled. Sam Mather’s powerful pass set Garnacho off and the Spanish winger drove forward, cut back inside onto his right foot and found the far right sidenetting with a powerful, curled effort.

McNeill topped off a fine night for Travis Binnion's Under-18s by wrapping up the game with a goal right at the end. Garnacho's left-footed strike on the half-volley was parried out by Arinbjornsson and McNeill gratefully tapped home.

It's a fantastic achievement for this young side and another night they'll never forget at Old Trafford.

 

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MATCH DETAILS

United XI: Vitek; Jurado, Bennett (c), Fredricson, Murray; Mainoo, Gore; Mather (Oyedele 63), Hansen-Aaroen (Forson 91), Garnacho; McNeill (Hugill 91).

Unused subs: Kambwala, Wooster, Pye, Norkett.

Yellow cards: Gore 42.

Goals: McNeill 16, Garnacho 59, McNeill 89.

Wolves XI: Arinbjornsson; Lembikisa, Kandola (Farmer 63), Tipton (c), Huber, Keto-Diyawa, Birtwistle (Esen 76), Griffiths, Fraser, Rees (Kaleta 75), Roberts.

Unused subs: Storer, Mabete, Francis-Burrell, Ojinnaka.

Yellow cards: Roberts 30, Huber 52, Tipton 73.

Attendance: 6,133

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