Manchester United's 15-year-old prospect JJ Gabriel will not get the chance to play an FA Youth Cup final at Old Trafford, unlike Kobbie Mainoo did in 2022. Manchester City, United's opponents in the final, have opted to keep the match at their women's stadium, the Joie Stadium, citing the desire to retain home advantage.
Mainoo was part of the United team that beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 in front of over 67,000 spectators at Old Trafford in the 2022 FA Youth Cup final. That experience helped launch his rise into the first team, where he is now a regular. Gabriel, who scored in the semi-final victory over Crystal Palace, will instead play in front of a crowd of around 7,000 at the Joie Stadium on May 14.
The decision came after City ruled out using the Etihad Stadium due to ongoing work on the North Stand. A proposal to move the final to Old Trafford was rejected by City, who feared losing the advantage of playing on home soil against their local rivals.
Gabriel's season has been impressive, helping United's under-18s finish second in the league behind City. He is expected to join United's first-team pre-season tour, indicating his potential breakthrough to senior football is imminent.
Despite the smaller venue, Gabriel will aim to emulate Mainoo by lifting the Youth Cup. However, he must do so away from the iconic surroundings of Old Trafford, a setting that helped define Mainoo's early career.
