Man Utd U18s won 2-1 against Crystal Palace in the FA Youth Cup semi-finals to reach the final of the competition.
JJ Gabriel broke the deadlock.(Image: 2026 James Gill - Danehouse)
View 3 Images
"Everyone has heard of JJ Gabriel," said a Crystal Palace staff member in the Old Trafford press box before the FA Youth Cup semi-final. There were delays getting into the ground and some fans would have been itching to get through the turnstile to get a glimpse of Gabriel in the flesh for the first time.
Alejandro Garnacho was the poster boy of the Class of '22, the last United team to lift the Youth Cup, and Gabriel is the talisman in his dressing room, but you cannot win a trophy with just one exciting talent.
Noah Ajayi has earned praise for his performances in the competition this season, but Yuel Helafu is a similarly exciting prospect. The young right-back roamed down the wing and drifted inside against Palace on Friday night, giving the London side a tactical headache when he picked up the ball.
Click here to find out the latest Manchester United news in our daily newsletter
United clearly hold Helafu in high regard because Michael Carrick brought the 17-year-old to the Republic of Ireland for the first-team's training camp last week. Helafu was also given two starts for the Under-21s against senior football league teams in the EFL Trophy earlier in the season.
It's that kind of exposure that has helped Helafu to stand out at Under-18 level. He recorded two shots on target in the first half against Palace, stinging the gloves of the goalkeeper after a driving one with his first attempt.
It spoke volumes that there were no complaints from Gabriel or Chido Obi, the two brightest attacking talents for United, when Helafu decided to shoot from the edge of the box instead of passing.
United midfielder Rafe McCormack was not afforded the same respect from his peers when he tried his luck from distance. Gabriel frantically waved his hands, insisting he should have been played through instead. Obi also looked unimpressed as McCormack returned to his own half.
Helafu looked sharp at right-back again.
View 3 Images
Palace were dealt a huge blow in the first half when 6ft 6in striker David Angibeaud was bizarrely substituted. Angibeaud had continued for 10 minutes after taking a knock to the head, seemingly looking fine, but his number was raised on the electronic board, much to his surprise.
Angibeaud pleaded to stay on the pitch, but the decision had been made. He looked dumbfounded as he spoke with Palace's medical team, and United fans sang "he's going to cry in a minute" as he returned to the dressing room.
The MUFC Local Supporters' Club, TRA and Youth Supporters' Club teamed up to create an 'atmosphere block' for the game. They worked with the club to allow fans to purchase tickets in the same section, ensuring the youngsters were backed by a vocal support in a huge fixture.
United charged £1 for all tickets when the U18s reached the final played of the Youth Cup against Nottingham Forest in 2022, but the club has charged £10 for adults and £5 for children to attend games this season.
The Manchester United Foundation received the proceeds from the turnstiles for the Youth Cup final four years ago, but Sir Jim Ratcliffe's economics mean United have pocketed the turnstile cash this term. United fans deserve extra kudos for still turning out to support the youngsters, even after Ratcliffe increased ticket prices.
Gabriel battles in front of the crowd.
View 3 Images
The game was goalless at half-time and Fletcher knew he needed to introduce some new energy sooner rather than later in the second half, so it was no surprise to see him turn to Samuel Lusale.
Lusale made a promising cameo from the bench for the U21s against Real Madrid earlier this month, and he wasted no time again, driving at Palace to tee up a golden chance with a cross into the box.
United signed Lusale from Palace in the summer of 2024, the same window in which Obi joined from Arsenal. The winger helped to shift the momentum into United's favour when he came on, adding to the threat Helafu was already providing down the right side.
It was fitting that Helafu started the move that led to Gabriel breaking the deadlock. The youngster demonstrated his intelligence by threading a pass to Obi from a free-kick. Then Obi played a beautiful ball into the box, and the supremely talented Gabriel finished with composure.
There was joy etched across Gabriel's face as he performed a knee slide in front of the Stretford End, although it didn't last for long, as Palace drew level minutes later after a blunder from goalkeeper Cameron Byrne-Hughes.
With seconds of normal time remaining, Obi fell to his knees as a shot from Gabriel was saved. Nothing split the two sides after four additional minutes were added, and the clash headed to extra time.
Gabriel received an ovation when he was forced off with an injury in the second half of extra-time. United could have waved the white flag without their talisman, but they dug in and found a goal.
Obi huffed and puffed throughout the game, but finally got rewarded for his endeavour with three minutes of extra-time remaining when he rounded the Palace goalkeeper after latching onto a pass from substitute James Overy. Gabriel charged down from the bench to celebrate and was shown a yellow card.
United will now face City in the Youth Cup final. City have offered their season ticket holders and official members free tickets for Youth Cup fixtures this season.
The Reds have won the Youth Cup more times than any other club in the competition's history, and have a brilliant chance of extending that record when they take on City in a fascinating Manchester derby final.