Overview
- Michael Carrick said he is disappointed the Manchester City vs. Manchester United FA Youth Cup final will be staged at City’s 7,000-capacity Joie Stadium instead of a main stadium.
- Manchester City maintains its first-team ground, the Etihad, cannot host the match because work to open the expanded North Stand is still being finalized.
- Manchester United offered to stage the final at Old Trafford, but City declined in order to keep home advantage.
- United supporter groups criticized the move after the away allocation was set at 968 tickets, limiting access for families and academy followers.
- The tie is the first Manchester derby Youth Cup final in 40 years, and recent precedent shows the event can draw large crowds, with 67,000 attending United’s 2022 final at Old Trafford.