Garnacho helps United to FA Youth Cup Final victory

Manchester United lifted the FA Youth Cup for the eleventh time in a hard-fought victory over Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.

There were 67,492 fans in the Theatre of Dreams, a Youth Cup record and a greater attendance than is possible at any other English club stadium. 

Warren Joyce – the former United reserve team manager – had his team fired up for their first-ever Youth Cup final. The visitors were busy all over the pitch, closing down the talented trio of Alejandro Garnacho, Isak Hansen-Aaröen, and Charlie McNeill whenever they could.

But it was the young United team who opened the scoring with a set-piece that captain Rhys Bennett headed in. Goalkeeper Aaron Bott will feel he could have done better with the effort though.

Forest got a deserved equaliser just before half-time with the goalkeeping on display called into question again. This time it was Josh Powell’s low drive that snuck in under Radek Vítek. 

The Reds seemed to tire in the second half, as they chased every ball against United and that tiredness seemed evident in the controversial goal to make it 2-1 to the home team.

A sloppy pass in defence from Forest was snatched up by Garnacho, who was bearing down on goal until Zach Abbott took the Argentinian-Spanish forward out. The referee, after deliberation with his assistant, pointed to the spot although replays showed that it happened just outside the area. Although Abbott could count himself a little lucky to get away with a yellow card instead of a red.

Garnacho, who made a brief cameo debut against Chelsea for the first team recently, made no mistake from the spot to put United ahead.

It was Garnacho who wrapped up the result in stoppage time. A tricky run saw him find space in the Forest area and his deflected effort wrapped up the cup final to win the FA Youth Cup for Manchester United. Forest though can be proud of their spirited performance, which seemed only to be derailed by some tired legs and minds. 

🏆 #FAYouthCup: winners! 🔴

A goal from Rhys Bennett and an Alejandro Garnacho double secures our victory at Old Trafford 👏#MUFC | #MUAcademy

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 11, 2022