Manchester Metropolis will host their FA Youth Cup remaining in opposition to Manchester United at their smaller Joie Stadium after turning down a suggestion to modify it to Previous Trafford.
Metropolis had been drawn at dwelling for the sport however are unable to make use of the principle pitch, with Pep Guardiola’s first crew nonetheless having three dwelling Premier League video games to play.
Whereas there’s an 11-day hole between their match in opposition to Crystal Palace and the final recreation of the marketing campaign in opposition to Aston Villa, membership officers argue enjoying 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 Might. They really feel they’re entitled to not conform to a change as they’re the confirmed dwelling crew.
United, who final gained the trophy in 2022 – when greater than 60,000 had been at Previous Trafford to observe a crew together with Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho beat Nottingham Forest – advised Metropolis they had been ready to host the sport.
Metropolis stated no, so the sport can 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 foremost stadium.
Two years in the past a crowd of 20,000 watched Metropolis beat Leeds United within the remaining at Etihad Stadium.
It’s a repeat of the 1986 remaining, hosted over two legs at Previous Trafford and Maine Street and gained by Metropolis.
United sources really feel it’s a mistake and can price nearly all of the gamers concerned an expertise in what might change into the largest recreation of their lives.
Metropolis are but to substantiate a date for the sport however it’s more likely to happen on Thursday, 14 Might.
