Manchester City and Manchester United are both chasing an Academy double
Manchester City and Manchester United could meet in a blockbuster FA Youth Cup final after the two teams were kept apart in the semi-final draw.
United have yet to complete their last eight fixture with Sunderland, which takes place next week, while City booked their place in the semi-finals with a win over Everton on Friday night.
The Manchester rivals met in the Youth Cup final in 1986, with City prevailing 3-1 on aggregate, and 40 years on a repeat is now on the cards.
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The two teams are battling it out at the top of the Under-18 Premier League North with City currently two points clear with a game in hand, although second place United did win the derby last month.
Should United get past Sunderland, they will host Crystal Palace in the last four, while City will be at home to Blackburn. The semi-final ties must be played by Saturday April 11, while the final is on Saturday, May 9.
City’s win over Everton on Friday turned on a controversial penalty decision early in the second half with Ademide Akarakiri appearing to win the ball when challenging Xavier Parker. Floyd Samba made no mistake when tucking the spot kick away from 12 yards to give City the lead.
The decision irked the Everton players and their mood didn’t improve minutes later when Malik Olayiwola was shown a straight red card, seemingly for something he said to referee Richie Watkins after the official gave a throw in City’s way.
The home side made the most of their man advantage to pull clear as Reigan Heskey curled in a fine second before sub Teddy Lamb tapped in a third.
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