Carrick 'disappointed' and Man Utd fans question reason for Man City's Cup final location

Michael Carrick says he is "disappointed" with Manchester City's decision to hold the showcase FA Youth Cup final with Manchester United at a tiny stadium.

Rather than being staged at the Etihad it will now be played at the far smaller Joie Stadium - leaving United fans questioning was it because City feared their own supporters wouldn't turn up?

Next Thursday’s all-Manchester showpiece is being played at the 6,477-capacity home of City’s elite development squad and women’s team.

It has claimed that there are “ongoing construction timelines for the North Stand development” preventing the game being played at the Etihad.

City’s decision to host the final at the Joie Stadium has triggered some angry responses, with the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust and members of the Fans’ Forum calling for the Football Association to move it to the Etihad or Old Trafford.

Pep Guardiola has so often claimed youth development is fundamental to his football philosophy and yet City do not appear to have made such a prestigious game a priority.

It is understood that United offered to host the game and head coach Carrick expressed frustration about the venue for a final he won with West Ham in 1999.

“I’m disappointed, to be honest,” Carrick said. “I think that getting to the Youth Cup final always or seems to have always been a thing where you play at the main stadium.

“It’s such a showcase event for players of that age group, so disappointed.

“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 watching, supporting the boys.”

United are the record 11-time winners of the Youth Cup, most recently lifting the trophy in 2022 when the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho overcame Nottingham Forest in front of 67,000 at Old Trafford.

Carrick said: “I was at the Forest game. A special, special night to see the stadium full for a game like that. It was kind of what you’d hope really for that, but it is what it is.

“There’s nothing, from what I know, that can be done about it. It’s kind of agreed and hopefully as years go by then and it can be flipped into the main stadiums.”