ALEJANDRO GARNACHO was the star of the show as Manchester United's Under-18s won the FA Youth Cup by beating Nottingham Forest 3-1 in the final.
A Youth Cup record crowd of 70,000 watched on at Old Trafford as the 17-year-old Argentina youth international scored a sublime double.
Tonight's attendance comfortably topped the previous highest attendance for a Youth Cup tie – when 38,187 attended the first leg of United's semi final with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in 2017.
- Result: Man Utd 3-1 Nottingham Forest
- Man Utd XI: Vitek, Jurado, Murray, Jackson, Bennett, Mainoo, Mather, Gore, McNeill, Hansen, Garnacho
- Nottingham Forest XI: Bott, Abbott, McAdam, Hammond, Johnson, Hanks, Powell, McDonnell, Osong, Taylor, Collins
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- James Orr
Garnacho 'fit for any stadium'
Man Utd Under-18s boss Travis Binnion has said that he had no worries that Alejandro Garnacho would be even the slightest bit overawed by the occasion.
Binnion said: "That boy could be in any stadium in the world and he wouldn't care.
"That's his make up, and a few of them are like that, that's why they are going to have good careers.
- James Orr
Ronaldo would be proud
Alejandro Garnacho even dished out a celebration Cristiano Ronaldo would have been proud of.
What a performance.
- Lloyd Canfield
Garnacho the star
The game was lit up by a young superstar in Alejandro Garnacho, but his teammates deserve huge credit, as do Forest for their performance.
Forest fans can now turn their attention to their play-off game against Sheffield United, which takes place on Saturday.
- Lloyd Canfield
Manchester United, FA Youth Cup Winners 2022
Your FA Youth Cup Winners for 2022 are…
Manchester United!
Captain Rhys Bennett celebrates with the trophy at Old Trafford.Credit: Getty - Lloyd Canfield
United fortunate with penalty
Whilst they were entirely deserving of the victory tonight, Manchester United were lucky to get a penalty as a foul from Zach Abbott was made outside the area, after a heavy touch by Garnacho.
With no VAR to overturn the referee's decision, he had to stick with his instinct and award the penalty, which Garnacho dispatched confidently.
Who knows if it was not given, Forest may have found a winner with the game poised at 1-1 at the time.
However, it was not to be for Forest.
- Lloyd Canfield
The trophy lift
Its glory, glory, Man United tonight at Old Trafford.
The boys lift the FA Youth Cup trophy, with captain and goal scorer Rhys Bennett getting first dibs, he was excellent tonight and will enjoy this one.
- Lloyd Canfield
Credit to Forest
Credit where it is due, Nottingham Forest U18's were really impressive today.
Powell on the right hand side was particularly impressive, he was strong on his left foot, and had a really good delivery from dead balls.
Captain McDonnell was also a class act throughout, and really caused some problems in the midfield area for Manchester United, reminiscent of Chelsea's N'golo Kante.
Forest are in good hands for the future, that much is for sure.
The Forest players will be devastated, but can hold their heads high.Credit: Getty - Lloyd Canfield
Garnacho impresses Fergie.
The great man rose to his feet at Old Trafford to applaud the young Alejandro Garnacho.
It took a while for the Argentine to settle into the game, with a few chances that went wide, but boy is he some player.
All the build up surrounding the game was about him, and he stepped up when it mattered.
His penalty was composure personified, and his second goal was made up of the kind of elegance that will be in YouTube compilations for years to come.
He is a serious talent.
- Lloyd Canfield
Full Time. 3-1 to Manchester United!
What a game, and what a performance from both sides.
Huge credit to both teams, and to that man, Alejandro Garnacho.
- Lloyd Canfield
He gets his moment!
90. That is why he is the star boy.
He drives down the left hand side, reminiscent of his idol Cristiano, and cuts inside to his right foot.
He cuts back with the elegance of Argentine team mate Lionel Messi, and finishes his dinner, it does take a deflection past the keeper, but he won't mind.
He runs off and takes off his shirt, which will see him pick up a yellow card for his troubles.
Sir Alex applauds him from the stands with a huge smile on his face.
Remember the name, Alejandro Garnacho.
Garnacho makes it 3-1 to United. Special player.Credit: Getty - Lloyd Canfield
Goal! Manchester United! 3-1!
Garnacho gets his Ronaldo moment!
- Lloyd Canfield
Garnacho shoots for the stars
90. Alejandro looks for his Cristiano moment there as he drives from deep and gets the crowd on their feet.
He arrives on the edge of the box and darts inside, but his shot is blazed over the bar.
- Lloyd Canfield
Into added time
We are into added time at Old Trafford now and a few players are begin to struggle.
There will be many more 90 minutes in store for all of these young lads, who have all put in a performance that they can be proud of tonight.
- Lloyd Canfield
Just like his idol
89. Alejandro Garnacho pulled out the 'Siuuuuu' celebration when his penalty hit the back of the net.
A celebration made famous by his idol Cristiano Ronaldo.
- Lloyd Canfield
Seeing this one out
87. United may just have what it takes to see this one out.
They have been really good at the back, with Rhys Bennett being particularly impressive.
Forest will surely throw the proverbial sink at them shortly.
Garnacho celebrates what could be the winner.Credit: Getty
- Lloyd Canfield
Yellow for Bennett
82. It is a yellow card for goal scorer and captain Rhys Bennett for a heavy challenge.
- Lloyd Canfield
Substitute for Forest
81. Justin Hanks comes off for Joe Gardner for Forest as they look to get back in this one.
- Lloyd Canfield
Was it a penalty?
81. There is some displeasure from the Nottingham Forest players and staff, who are insistent that Garnacho was fouled outside the box. It was close.
- Lloyd Canfield
Goal! 2-1 Manchester United!
79. Siuuuuu! Is the celebration from Alejandro Garnacho, who sends the keeper the wrong way, and rolls it to the right hand side.
Garnacho gets his goal from the penalty spot.Credit: Getty - Lloyd Canfield
Penalty! Manchester United!
It is a yellow card for Zach Abbott, who trips Alejandro Garnacho.
- Lloyd Canfield
Sub Forest
73. Ben Perry comes on for Sam Collins who has unfortunately been injured. His night is over, but it gives a chance to the promising Ben Perry.
- Lloyd Canfield
Chance United!
71. United almost make it 2-1 through Rhys Bennett again!
A cross comes in and the center-half is in the middle, his header does not go in this time however.
- Lloyd Canfield
United good in build up
70. They have held the ball really well tonight, these United youngsters.
They are certainly players and a team of great quality, they build up on the right hand side here, but are let down by Mainoo in possession, unlike him it must be said.
Kobbie Mainoo is excellent in the United midfield.Credit: Getty - Lloyd Canfield
67,492 Here tonight.
68. That is your record breaking attendance tonight.
Huge credit to the fans of both sides for showing up to this one, they will be very impressed with the talent on display so far.
Quality viewing.
- Lloyd Canfield
Two United changes
66. Joe Hugill enters the field for Charlie McNeill who has put in a great showing tonight.
Number 10 Hansen comes off also, and is being replaced by Oyedele.
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