Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Godwill Kukonki of Manchester United during the FA Youth Cup fourth round match between Manchester United and Derby County at Old Trafford on January 23, 2026
Godwill Kukonki of Manchester United during the FA Youth Cup fourth round match between Manchester United and Derby County at Old Trafford on January 23, 2026
Manchester United v Derby County - FA Youth Cup
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
How Manchester United reached the semi-final
United have beaten Peterborough, Oxford United and Sunderland to reach the semi-finals. United won 3-2 against the Black Cats in the quarter-final, with Noah Ajayi, Chido Obi and Nathaniel Brown on the scoresheet.
JJ Gabriel has been a key contributor through the competition too, scoring twice in previous rounds.
First of two Palace clashes
This FA Youth Cup semi-final is the first of two huge games for Manchester United’s under-18s against Crystal Palace.
The second is the Premier League Cup Final, which is being held at Selhurst Park later in April.
Centre-backs all included
It is notable to see Dan Armer, Albert Mills and Godwill Kukonki all involved. There would have been a temptation to call them into the first team amid a growing centre-back crisis.
[### Leny Yoro injured as Manchester United centre-back nightmare vs Chelsea continues: Reaction
Leny Yoro injured as Manchester United centre-back nightmare vs Chelsea continues: Reaction
Leny Yoro injured as Manchester United centre-back nightmare vs Chelsea continues: Reaction
Manchester United have been dealt a nightmare injury blow. Leny Yoro has suffered an injury and will not travel with the Manchester United squad to*…*](https://www.unitedinfocus.com/news/leny-yoro-injured-as-manchester-united-centre-back-nightmare-vs-chelsea-continues/)
Starting line-up
Here is a look at how Manchester United will line-up…
Byrne-Hughes, Helafu, Mills, Armer, Kukonki, McCormack, Thwaites, Brown, Gabriel, Obi, Ajayi
Subs: Overy, Heath, Watson, McEvoy, Shah, Lusale, Bradbury