Darren Fletcher: Man United under-18s boss slams Youth Cup | OneFootball

Manchester United under-18s fell to a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Youth Cup final last night.

Season of seconds

United’s youngsters were cheered on by an enthusiastic away end and senior figures such as manager Michael Carrick and club captain Bruno Fernandes.

The young Red Devils fell behind to a Floyd Samba free kick before excellently equalising through Godwill Kukonki just seconds later.

Nevertheless, United conceded in the 87th minute to Reigan Heskey and lost their second final of the year.

Darren Fletcher’s side had already lost on penalties to Crystal Palace in the Premier League Cup and finished second in the league.

Fletcher outrage

United were already disappointed by City’s decision to play the match at the 7,000-capacity Joie Stadium after rejecting the Red Devils’ offer to play the match at Old Trafford.

The United under-18s head coach was in an even worse mood after the game, according to The Athletic.

Speaking after the match, Fletcher criticised City’s post-match ceremony of announcing Oliver Reiss’ coaching staff to collect their medals, followed by each individual player, as his United team were forced to watch on.

The Scot angrily claimed, “not only to watch a team lift the trophy but also for it to be a Man City parade when it’s an FA Youth Cup Final, I’ve never heard individual coaches be shouted out, every individual player shouted out, that doesn’t happen in cup finals.”

The former United midfielder expressed his disappointment with the Football Association for letting the events take place.

He lamented, “so I’m disappointed in the FA for everything that has gone on around this game — for the location and then our players having to deal with that. It’s disappointing. We have to stand there, we have to respect the opposition, but not when Man City take over an FA Youth Cup. It’s an FA competition, it should never have been like that. That’s my one gripe tonight but the best team won; compliments to them.”

Fletcher also felt that the FA need to take more responsibility in the organisation of the Youth Cup events as it is an “historic competition”.

He also expressed his disappointment that it felt more like a Manchester City competition than an FA competition.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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