[Saba Sports News] According to British media reports, Manchester United and Manchester City will face off in the FA Youth Cup final next week, but the match will not be held at the Etihad Stadium, instead at the Joie Stadium. This season, all of Manchester United’s FA Youth Cup fixtures have taken place at Old Trafford. Manchester United fan groups have called on the Football Association to intervene, demanding that the final be rearranged to either the Etihad Stadium or Old Trafford. This highly anticipated showpiece finale of the youth academy season is a Manchester derby, yet it is set to be played at the Joie Stadium on May 14th rather than the Etihad Stadium. Although Manchester City would have held home advantage, the Etihad Stadium is unavailable due to renovation work taking place on its North Stand in preparation for test events. As a result, the fixture will be staged at the 7,000-capacity Joie Stadium, which sits directly opposite the Etihad Stadium.
The editor believes that clubs usually host FA Youth Cup ties at their first-team stadiums. Manchester United have used Old Trafford throughout the entire season, with their only away game taking place at Oxford United’s Kassam Stadium. Manchester City were granted special permission to use the Joie Stadium for their Youth Cup fixtures this season, but it is understood that the FA originally wanted the final to be held at the Etihad Stadium.