Darren Fletcher criticises FA as Youth Cup final becomes a ‘Man City parade’
Darren Fletcher was displeased by the names of Manchester City’s coaches being read out by the stadium announcer during the post-match celebrations - Alex Livesey/Getty Images Darren Fletcher has criticised the Football Association for allowing the FA Youth Cup final to become a “Manchester City parade” and told the governing body to take ownership of its flagship junior competition. City Under-18s beat their United counterparts 2-1 at the Joie Stadium on Thursday night courtesy of a late winner from Reigan Heskey, son of former Liverpool and England striker Emile. But Fletcher was angered by the names of each City coach and player being loudly read out over the PA system as they went to collect their medals while his deflated squad watched on.
Man City lift the FA Youth Cup 🎉🏆 📺 TNT Sports and HBO Max pic. twitter. com/SECYTvIMIv — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 14, 2026 The United Under-18s coach was spotted marching over to FA officials during the post-match presentations to air his thoughts forcefully at them.
Fletcher was also disappointed the final was not held at a bigger venue after the Etihad Stadium was ruled out owing to construction work on its newly expanded North Stand and City rejected a request from the FA to move the match to Old Trafford. Asked if it was a painful lesson for his players having to stand there and watch City lift the trophy, Fletcher said: “Not only to watch a team lift a trophy, but to be a Man City parade when it’s an FA Youth Cup final. “I’ve never heard individual coaches be shouted out, every individual player be shouted out.
That doesn’t happen in Cup finals. So I’m disappointed in the FA for everything that’s gone around this game, for the location, for everything. And then our players having to deal with that.
It’s disappointing. You have to stand there. “You have to respect the opposition.
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