Man Utd fan groups ask FA to intervene in Youth Cup final

Fan groups have called on the Football Association (FA) to intervene following Manchester City's decision to host their FA Youth Cup final against Manchester United at their Joie Stadium, after turning down an offer to switch it to Old Trafford.

Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) and Manchester United Fans' Forum representatives called the decision to move the 14 May final to the 7,000-capacity ground "a disgrace" in a joint statement, with the Red Devils given an away allocation of 968 tickets for the trip across Manchester.

Meanwhile, the father of United striker JJ Gabriel has posted on X, saying it is a "robbery of kids' dreams".

Joe Gabriel added: "To not play it in a main stadium is ludicrous. I don't blame City, I blame the FA for allowing it to happen."

BBC Sport understands United academy staff are unhappy with the situation and many parents are privately annoyed.

The FA is unlikely to step in as Manchester City have had dispensation from the governing body to play their Youth Cup games at Joie Stadium this season.

However, the FA supported the final being played at Etihad Stadium if possible.

"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 6,000 people is a disgrace," the Manchester United fan groups said.

"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."

Delivery of the FA Youth Cup final is traditionally managed by the finalist club drawn first in the draw.

City were drawn at home for the match but are unable to use the main pitch, with Pep Guardiola's first team still having three home Premier League games to play.

While there is an 11-day gap between their match against Crystal Palace and the last game of the campaign against Aston Villa, club officials argue playing the final in that space will rob them of essential time to complete construction work on the North Stand, which is planned to open for Villa's visit.

The club also have a test event booked for 20 May. They feel they are entitled not to agree to a switch as they are the confirmed home team.

United, who last won the trophy in 2022 - when more than 60,000 were at Old Trafford to watch a team including Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho beat Nottingham Forest - told City they were prepared to host the game.

City said no, so the game will be played at Joie Stadium, which is used by the club's Premier League 2 and women's teams.

The club have used the stadium to host Youth Cup finals previously but since 2000, every other host club has played the game at their main stadium.

Two years ago a crowd of 20,000 watched City beat Leeds United in the final at Etihad Stadium.

It is a repeat of the 1986 final, hosted over two legs at Old Trafford and Maine Road and won by City.

United sources feel it is a mistake and will cost the majority of the players involved an experience in what could turn out to be the biggest game of their lives.