Man Utd´s ´Class of 22´ secure FA Youth Cup in front of record crowd at Old Trafford

Alejandro Garnacho scored twice as Manchester United secured their first FA Youth Cup in 11 years with a 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest in front of a record crowd.

United last won the competition in 2011, with Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Michael Keane and Ravel Morrison all part of the Red Devils side that defeated Harry Maguire’s Sheffield United 6-3 on aggregate.

In front of 67,492 people – almost double the FA Youth Cup’s previous attendance record (38,187 in 2007) – inside Old Trafford on Wednesday, United captain Rhys Bennett headed his side in front after 13 minutes.

Forest full-back Joshua Powell levelled things up on the cusp of half-time as he powered through the grasp of Radek Vitek, who may feel he should have done better with the low drive.

Garnacho, who was presented with the club’s Under-18 Player of the Year award before the match, then emerged as the new star to deliver youth success for United, netting a second-half brace to seal victory.

That helped the Red Devils to a record 11th FA Youth Cup title in front of numerous United legends, with Alex Ferguson, Bryan Robson, Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick and Nicky Butt all in attendance.

The 17-year-old Garnacho made his first-team debut against Chelsea in April and will be hoping his performance earns him an outing in United’s final Premier League game of the season at Crystal Palace on May 22.

Congratulations to our #MUAcademy U18s! #MUFC | #FAYouthCup

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 11, 2022