Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has expressed his disappointment at Manchester City's decision for the FA Youth Cup final where they face the Red Devils
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick is disappointed(Image: Ash Donelon, Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Michael Carrick admitted he was "disappointed" at Manchester City's decision to hold theor FA Youth Cup final clash with Manchester United at the Joie Stadium, instead of at the 53,000-capacity Etihad.
The two clubs' academy teams will face each other in the first Manchester derby Youth Cup final encounter in 40 years next Thursday, but City maintain their first-team ground is unavailable as they attempt to complete the opening of the North Stand redevelopment.
United proposed to host the match at Old Trafford, but City turned down the suggestion as they wished to retain home advantage. The fixture will now take place at their 7,000-capacity ground at the training complex, which is utilised for academy and women's matches.
The decision has attracted criticism from United supporter groups, with the away side allocated just 968 tickets for the final. Carrick has now voiced his own disappointment.
"I'm disappointed, to be honest. I think getting to the Youth Cup final always seems to have been a thing where you play at the main stadium and it's such a showcase event for players of that age group," he said. "So we're disappointed.
"I think I've had some amazing memories, some of my best memories, in that competition of playing with your close mates and it's a shame that it hasn't worked out for whatever reason. But listen, for the boys to go there, it's a fantastic game, it's a great opportunity.
"I'm sure the game itself will be good, and I'm looking forward to going and supporting the boys."
Carrick has been a passionate supporter of United's academy sides since taking on the role of first-team head coach in January. He has regularly attended Youth Cup fixtures, including making a six-hour round trip to Oxford for their fifth round clash at the Kassam Stadium.
JJ Gabriel celebrates scoring an FA Youth Cup goal for Man United
JJ Gabriel scored for Man United during the FA Youth Cup semi-final match against Crystal Palace(Image: Alex Livesey, Getty Images)
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United have been drawn at home in every other round this season and have hosted all of those matches at Old Trafford. Carrick also knows what it takes to perform in a Youth Cup final, having netted in West Ham's 9-0 victory against Coventry City across two legs in 1999.
United last appeared in the final in 2022, when over 67,000 supporters packed Old Trafford to witness them overcome Nottingham Forest. Carrick attended that fixture as a fan and witnessed first-hand what it meant to the young players involved, which only deepens his frustration at a missed chance this season.
"I was at that game, the Forest game [was a] special special night, to see the stadium full for a game like that," he said.
"It was kind of what you'd hoped really for that, but it is what it is and there's nothing from what I know that can be done about it. It's kind of agreed, and hopefully, as years go by it can be flipped to the main stadiums."