Need to know
Manchester United U18s are set to face Derby County in the FA Youth Cup
Kai Rooney playing for Manchester United U18s
Kai Rooney has featured for Manchester United U18s this season(Image: Anthony Devlin/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Everything you need to know ahead of Manchester United vs Derby County in the FA Youth Cup
Date, Venue, and Kick-off Time: The match is taking place tonight, Friday, January 23, 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 7pm GMT. The tie is being hosted at Old Trafford, allowing the youth team a rare opportunity to play in the main first-team stadium.
UK TV Channel Information: The game will be broadcast live and exclusively in the UK on MUTV. Fans with a subscription via Sky or Virgin Media can tune in to watch the full 90 minutes and any potential extra time or penalties.
Live Stream Details (UK and International): For those watching online, the match is available via the Man Utd App and the official MUTV website. This stream is accessible to subscribers worldwide, making it the primary way for international fans to watch the game live.
UK Radio Coverage: While there is no national BBC or talkSPORT broadcast for youth fixtures, MUTV provides its own live radio-style commentary within the app. Local updates may also be available on BBC Radio Manchester during their Friday night sports programming.
Kai Rooney’s Season So Far: Wayne Rooney’s son, Kai Rooney, has become a key figure for the Under-18s this season, primarily playing as a left-footed forward or winger. After a record-breaking stint in the U14s (scoring 56 goals in one season), he made his U18 debut earlier this term and has been a regular fixture in matchday squads throughout 2025/26. He teased on social media on Friday that he was involved in the squad.
Manchester United Star Players: JJ Gabriel scored the winning goal in the previous round against Peterborough. Other players who may be involved include Shea Lacey and Amir Ibragimov, a versatile midfielder who has already trained with the first team.
Derby County Star Players: The Young Rams are led by Marley Mintus, their top scorer this season with six goals, and the creative Sean Corry on the right wing. Derby’s academy has a strong reputation for producing first-team talent and they arrive at Old Trafford following a convincing 3-0 win over Cambridge United in the third round.
Match Stakes and Format: This is a knockout tie, meaning if the scores are level after 90 minutes, the match will go to extra time and penalties. The winner of this match will progress to the FA Youth Cup fifth round (round of 16), keeping the dream of a 12th title alive for United.