Manchester United will face Manchester City in the FA Youth Cup final on Thursday, aiming to lift the trophy for the first time since 2022. United are the most decorated club in Youth Cup history, having won the competition 11 times. However, they have only secured it twice since the turn of the millennium, highlighting the significance of their 2022 success. The 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest four years ago showcased a wealth of talent within United's ranks.
From players who have generated substantial transfer fees to those who have progressed to the first team, here is an update on the squad from the 2022 winning side.
Radek Vitek - Goalkeeper
Vitek, the goalkeeper in the 2022 final, remains on United's books at age 23 but is yet to make a first-team appearance. He has been loaned to Bristol City this season, featuring in 41 matches for the Championship side.
Marc Jurado - Right Back
Jurado, 22, featured at right-back in the final but was sold by United on transfer deadline day in 2023 to Espanyol. He later joined FC Cartagena, who compete in the Spanish third tier.
Louis Jackson - Centre-Back
Jackson, a standout performer against Forest, remains at Carrington at age 20. He spent this season on loan at National League side Solihull Moors.
Rhys Bennett - Centre-Back
Bennett scored United's opening goal in the final and lifted the trophy. The 22-year-old earned a spot on the first-team bench under former manager Erik ten Hag but never played. He had loan spells at Stockport County and signed with Fleetwood Town this year.
Sam Murray - Left-Back
Murray, 21, signed a new deal with United in 2023 but was released in 2025. He has since joined National League side Carlisle United.
Kobbie Mainoo - Centre-Midfield
Mainoo, one of the standout talents, scored the winner in the final and has firmly established himself in United's first team. He started for England in the Euro 2024 final and recently committed to a new five-year contract at United under interim boss Michael Carrick.
Dan Gore - Centre-Midfield
The 21-year-old midfielder made his senior debut for United in the Carabao Cup win against Crystal Palace in 2023 but has not featured since. Gore is currently on his third loan spell at Rotherham United, with 34 appearances this season.
Isak Hansen-Aaroen - Attacking Midfield
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder was highly regarded at United but moved to Werder Bremen in early 2024 after failing to break into the first team. He was loaned to Danish club Aalborg before completing a permanent switch to Dutch side NEC Nijmegen this year.
Sam Mather - Right Wing
The versatile 21-year-old winger featured on the right in the final and had brief loan stints at Rochdale and Tranmere Rovers. He left United for Turkish side Kayserispor in January 2026, making two appearances this season.
Alejandro Garnacho - Left Wing
Garnacho, another standout success, scored twice in the final and used that as a springboard for his Old Trafford career. Dubbed the heir to Cristiano Ronaldo, he scored 26 first-team goals in 144 appearances, including a strike in the 2024 FA Cup Final, before leaving for Chelsea last summer for £40 million.
Charlie McNeill - Striker
McNeill, 22, was a prolific marksman throughout United's youth ranks, netting 600 goals at youth level for Manchester City before joining United. He played a key role in the Youth Cup run but signed with Sheffield Wednesday in 2024, where he has become a regular, scoring six times in 50 appearances.
Substitutes
- Sonny Aljofree – The 21-year-old entered as an 86th-minute substitute and remains at United, loaned to Notts County this season.
- Maxi Oyedele – Oyedele is now a fully established Polish international playing for Strasbourg after leaving United in 2024. He came on as a 64th-minute substitute in the final.
- Joe Hugill – After several loan spells, Hugill, 22, signed for Kilmarnock this year.
- Logan Pye – Pye, 22, spent three years at United before moving to Burnley in September 2023.
- Tom Wooster – The 21-year-old goalkeeper was released by United in summer 2025 to join West Ham United.
- Omari Forson – Forson made four first-team appearances for United but left for Italian side Monza on a free transfer in 2024.
- Ethan Ennis – Ennis, 21, began his career at Liverpool before moving to United in 2017 and remains on the books. The highly-regarded winger has spent time on loan at Doncaster Rovers and Fleetwood Town over the past two seasons.
