Michael Carrick has admitted he is “disappointed” by Manchester City’s decision to play the FA Youth Cup final against Manchester United at Joa Stadium rather than the 53,000-capacity Etihad Stadium. Both clubs’ academy teams will clash next Thursday in the first Manchester Derby Youth Cup final in 40 years, but City insist the first-team ground will not be available as they work to complete the redevelopment of the North Stand.
United made a proposal to hold the match at Old Trafford, but City rejected the proposal in favor of maintaining home advantage. The match will be held at the 7,000-capacity ground, which is normally a training facility used for academy and women’s matches. The decision drew considerable criticism from United supporters’ groups, with the away team handing out just 968 tickets for the marquee event. Carrick is now making his feelings known.
“To be honest, it’s disappointing. When you get to the Youth Cup final, you always think of it as playing in the main stadium and it’s a very showcase event for players in that age group,” he said.
“I think I had some great memories, some of the best, in this tournament playing with my closest mates, and it’s a shame that it didn’t work out for whatever reason.
“But listen, it’s a great game and a great opportunity for the players. I think the game itself is going to be good and I’m looking forward to supporting the players.”
Carrick has been a passionate defender of United’s academy team since taking over as first-team head coach in January. He was a frequent attender of Youth Cup matches, including undertaking the six-hour round trip to Oxford for the fifth round fixture at the Kassam Stadium.
United have drawn at home every other week this season, with all of their games being played at Old Trafford. Carrick also scored in West Ham’s 9-0 win over Coventry City in 1999, and knows what it takes to make a mark in a Youth Cup final.
United last appeared in a final in 2022, when more than 67,000 fans packed Old Trafford to watch United beat Nottingham Forest. Carrick attended the game as a spectator and saw firsthand what it meant to the young players involved. That only heightened his disappointment with the wasted opportunities this season.
“I went to that game, the Forest game, and it was a special, special night to see the stadium full for a game like that,” he said. “It was the kind of thing you really wanted, but it is what it is and as far as I know there’s nothing that can be done about it. It’s kind of an agreement and hopefully as the year progresses we can switch to the main stadium.”
