Man Utd offered to host Youth Cup clash - Fletcher
Manchester City's Joie Stadium (near) will host the FA Youth Cup final against Manchester United [Getty Images] Manchester United's Under-18 coach Darren Fletcher has confirmed the club offered hold the FA Youth Cup final at Old Trafford. Manchester City say they cannot host the game at the Etihad Stadium due to ongoing construction works. Instead, the match will be played at the Joie Stadium on their training complex, which holds around 7,000.
City are the only club since 2000 that has hosted finals away from the club's main stadium and this latest move has meant a scramble for tickets and limitations on the number of family members players can have at the game. "We tried, because we really wanted a big stadium, and Old Trafford would have been an amazing occasion for the players, for everyone," said Fletcher. "Obviously we're disappointed, because I think part of this competition is about playing in these big venues.
"This competition has a special history. Players who have gone on and won Premier Leagues still talk about how amazing it was to win with their youth team and their friends. "We're disappointed for everyone, the Man City players, our players, coaches on both sides and the fans.
" United played all their home games in the competition at Old Trafford. Their one away game, at Oxford, was held at the Kassam Stadium. "It is a learning for the players; how they feel it and how they find it difficult at times," Fletcher added.
"Everything in youth football is about developing them to be the best players they can be to go and have futures in the game. So, exposing them to that (stadiums) is a part of it. "Usually, the Youth Cup is the first stage in that, and the one time you probably do expect it is in the final.