"Man Utd Files: FA Youth Cup Controversy Ignites, Carrick's Grueling Hours Uncovered & Loanee Returns to Carrington"

MANCHESTER CITY blocked the majority of dedicated United journalists from attending the FA Youth Cup final on Thursday night.

An exception was made for the Manchester Evening News, who had two reporters in the press box.

Manchester City blocked the majority of Man Utd reporters at the FA Youth Cup final Credit: Alamy It came following unhappiness at coverage over their choice to hold the final at the Joie Stadium Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

The move resulted from the fall-out over ’s decision not to hold the final at the Etihad Stadium. City found room in their press box for ‘City Vlog’ and D&B Sports.

Certain figures at City were unhappy with coverage over their choice to hold the final at the 7,000-capacity Joie Stadium at their training complex.

‘s side beat on Wednesday night and host Aston Villa on the final day.

A test event is also scheduled on May 20 for the new north stand.

If the test event is successful, the new 7,000-capacity tier will be opened to supporters for the Villa fixture on May 24.

Tickets for next week’s test event, which requires 3,500 attendants, are not listed as sold out on the City website.

Local hero

ONE place that will be sorry to see Casemiro leave is Head Over Heels in Wilmslow.

The soft play centre has hosted several birthday parties thrown by Casemiro and his family for their children, Sara and Caio, as well as school friends.

Casemiro will be missed by more than just the Old Trafford faithful Credit: EPA

Casemiro will make his final Old Trafford appearance for United against on Sunday after recovering from a minor injury.

The 34-year-old sat out last week’s goalless draw with Sunderland.

Carrington exits

MANUEL UGARTE remains the first to leave United’s Carrington training complex.

The last player to leave tends to be Bruno Fernandes, who sometimes leaves the premises as late as 5pm.

Michael Carrick’s dedication to the job is also apparent, as he tends to clock out at 6pm most days.

Final say

JIM THWAITES and Chido Obi might be forced into a limited role for United’s Under-21 league play-off final on Saturday.

Obi and Thwaites both played 90 minutes of United’s Youth Cup defeat on Thursday night.

But United’s Under-21s are heading South on Friday for Adam Lawrence side’s final at the Amex Stadium.

could have pushed the senior final back to Monday but instead opted for a double-header with Brighton’s womens team on Saturday.

The delay of the Youth Cup final from May 9 to May 14 has left United with two important finals in the space of .

Of course, it would have been the same for City players who play at both levels had they not lost the Under-21 semi final to the Red Devils last week.

Star returns

RADEK VITEK has been welcomed back to Carrington after his loan spell with Bristol City ended.

United have added the goalkeeper’s profile to the Under-21 page on the club’s freshly revamped website.

Vitek, who also came through at United, is wanted by several clubs next season.

The Czech-born keeper is under contract until 2028, but United must decide whether to keep him as a backup to , sell him, or agree to another loan.

United are exploring a new contract for third-choice keeper Tom Heaton, with sources pointing to the 40-year-old’s important leadership in the dressing room.

Job for the boy

SIR Dave Brailsford is finally gone but his assistant has stayed on at United.

Josh Thompson, who used to shadow Brailsford when he was on the scene at , holds the title of ‘multi-club programme manager’.

Thompson’s father, David, was a former Ineos CEO and at the forefront when the petrochemicals group bought Swiss club FC Lausanne-Sport in 2017.

Brailsford, who was effectively the performance director at United between December 2023-May 2025, stayed on as a director but has not been at any of their games this season.

United confirmed Brailsford was no longer a club director last week.