One week until the FA Youth Cup final

Wednesday 04 May 2022 19:30

A week today (Wednesday 11 May), Old Trafford will host the FA Youth Cup final, contested between Manchester United’s Under-18s and Nottingham Forest, and a record-breaking crowd is anticipated.

It is our first appearance in the final of the prestigious youth tournament since 2011, when a team including current first-team players Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard took on Sheffield United, for whom Harry Maguire and current U18s lead coach Travis Binnion were involved.

Binnion’s young side secured their final berth with a dominant 3-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford in early March. That was their fourth experience at the Theatre of Dreams in the competition this year, with only one of the five ties preceding the final played away from home.

Nottingham Forest delivered a stunning late comeback to down nine-time winners Chelsea in their semi-final, with Dale Taylor equalising for Warren Joyce’s hard-working side and Esapa Osong scoring the winner and one more to seal victory.

FA Youth Cup: United 3 Wolves 0 Video

FA Youth Cup: United 3 Wolves 0

It was a night to remember at Old Trafford in the FA Youth Cup semi-final...

More than 52,000 tickets have been sold for next Wednesday’s momentous occasion, and with one week to go, there is still plenty of time left to secure your seat. Tickets cost £1 and in buying one, you’ll help support the Manchester United Foundation which works with disadvantaged children across Greater Manchester.

The United ticket office have confirmed that we are set for a record-breaking crowd inside Old Trafford. The highest attendance for a Youth Cup game was recorded in March 2007, when the Emirates Stadium welcomed 38,137 supporters to watch Arsenal take on United in the first leg of that year's semi-final.

If you haven’t yet, book your place to be a part of a record crowd now. Tickets are available via manutd.com/tickets.

RECENT FORM

Travis Binnion’s side have enjoyed a relentless fixture schedule since the FA Youth Cup semi-final against Wolves on 9 March, with 13 matches played. The regular FA Youth Cup starting XI has rarely been seen in its full form during this run of games, with Binnion and his assistants using the full squad to manage the workload.

Most recently, the young Reds managed a comfortable 3-0 win over Derby County, with goals from Manni Norkett, Charlie McNeill and Sam Mather.

U18s highlights: United v Derby Video

U18s highlights: United v Derby

United U18s were dominant against Derby at Carrington - see how the action unfolded here...

Forest enjoyed six victories in April, including their semi-final win over Chelsea at the start of the month. Warren Joyce’s team kept four clean sheets in five league wins over Burnley, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, Stoke City and Liverpool.

Preview: FA Youth Cup final

 Article

With one week until the big occasion, here's everything you need to know including ticket, squad and form info.

COMING UP

We’ll be building up to the final throughout the week, first with the thoughts of two European Cup-winning United legends John O’Shea and Paddy Crerand. We’ll speak to Travis Binnion, lead coach, and Justin Cochrane, head of Academy player development, both of whom also appear on a coaches’ round-table, as MUTV sit down with key Academy figures to discuss the Youth Cup run so far and how the club’s youth development philosophy ties in with that.

Later in the week, you’ll be able to hear from the players themselves as they recall their earliest football memories and preview the Old Trafford occasion itself. There’s plenty more in addition to that, so keep your eyes peeled.

FA YOUTH CUP FINAL TICKETS

Don't miss this chance to be part of what could be a historic night at the Theatre of Dreams – head to manutd.com/tickets now and book your seats!

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