{"id":450397,"date":"2026-05-15T15:15:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T15:15:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/450397\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T15:15:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T15:15:12","slug":"manchester-united-u18-boss-darren-fletcher-blasts-man-citys-fa-youth-cup-final-parade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/450397\/","title":{"rendered":"Manchester United U18 boss Darren Fletcher blasts Man City\u2019s FA Youth Cup final \u2018parade\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Manchester<\/p>\n

Manchester United Under-18s head coach Darren Fletcher on the touchline during the FA Youth Cup final at the Joie Stadium, Manchester. Photo: Peter Byrne\/PA Wire<\/p>\n

Manchester United under-18s manager Darren Fletcher has launched a fresh complaint over the staging of the FA Youth Cup final, describing the post-match trophy celebration as a \u201cMan City parade\u201d.<\/p>\n

United were already deeply unhappy that Thursday\u2019s match was played at the Joie Stadium, home of City\u2019s women\u2019s team and academy sides, with City saying the Etihad Stadium was unavailable due to construction work.<\/p>\n

And after seeing his side beaten 2-1 by City thanks to a late Reigan Heskey strike, Fletcher was seen complaining during the trophy presentation as City revelled in their fifth FA Youth Cup success.<\/p>\n

“I’m disappointed in the FA for everything that’s gone around this game” \ud83d\udde3\ufe0f<\/p>\n

Darren Fletcher reacts to Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat to rival’s Manchester City in the FA Youth Cup Final \u26bd\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/PivmrfqQzH<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

City\u2019s backroom staff were invited to step up to the podium before the players were individually introduced to the crowd as they went to collect their medals, and Fletcher felt it went too far.<\/p>\n

Responding to a question over the lessons his young players will take from watching their rivals celebrate, the Scot said: \u201cNot only to watch a team lift a trophy, but to be a Man City parade when it\u2019s an FA Youth Cup final.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never heard individual coaches be shouted out, every individual player be shouted out. That doesn\u2019t happen in Cup finals.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I\u2019m disappointed in the FA for everything that\u2019s gone around this game, for the location, for everything. And then our players having to deal with that. But as you say, it\u2019s disappointing.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to stand there. You have to respect the opposition. But not when Man City take over an FA Youth Cup. It\u2019s an FA competition. It should never have been like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

It is understood Fletcher made his views known forcefully, shouting at English FA officials during the presentation.<\/p>\n

Asked if the FA needed to take more ownership of this 74-year-old competition he said: \u201cIt\u2019s an FA competition and it felt like it was a Man City competition for this whole build-up to the game in terms of how we had to deal with that at the end there.\u201d<\/p>\n

City declined to comment on Fletcher\u2019s complaint although it is understood club officials reacted with some amusement.<\/p>\n

Fletcher sent his sons Jack and Tyler to City\u2019s academy early in their careers before they signed for United in July 2023.<\/p>\n

The staging of the FA Youth Cup final is traditionally managed by the club drawn first. However, the FA has noted the comments from Fletcher.<\/p>\n