Manchester Metropolis will host their FA Youth Cup ultimate towards Manchester United at their smaller Joie Stadium after turning down a suggestion to modify it to Outdated Trafford.
Metropolis have been drawn at residence for the sport however are unable to make use of the principle pitch, with Pep Guardiola’s first staff nonetheless having three residence Premier League video games to play.
Whereas there may be an 11-day hole between their match towards Crystal Palace and the final recreation of the marketing campaign towards Aston Villa, membership officers argue taking part in the ultimate in that area will rob them of important time to finish building work on the North Stand, which is deliberate to open for Villa’s go to.
The membership even have a take a look at occasion booked for Sunday, 10 Could. They really feel they’re entitled to not comply with a swap as they’re the confirmed residence staff.
United, who final gained the trophy in 2022 – when greater than 60,000 have been at Outdated Trafford to observe a staff together with Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho beat Nottingham Forest – advised Metropolis they have been ready to host the sport.
Metropolis mentioned no, so the sport will likely be performed on the 7,000-capacity floor, which is utilized by the membership’s Premier League 2 and ladies’s groups.
The membership have used the stadium to host Youth Cup finals beforehand however since 2000, each different host membership has performed the sport at their predominant stadium.
Two years in the past a crowd of 20,000 watched Metropolis beat Leeds United within the ultimate at Etihad Stadium.
It’s a repeat of the 1986 ultimate, hosted over two legs at Outdated Trafford and Maine Street and gained by Metropolis.
United sources really feel it’s a mistake and can value nearly all of the gamers concerned an expertise in what might become the most important recreation of their lives.
Metropolis are but to verify a date for the sport however it’s prone to happen on Thursday, 14 Could.
