A late winner settles the all-Manchester FA Youth Cup Final in City's favour

Manchester City lifted the 2025-26 edition of the FA Youth Cup after a 2-1 victory over local rivals Manchester United at the Joie Stadium. 

Floyd Samba and Reigan Heskey scored the Blues’ 19th and 20th goals of this season's competition, either side of Godwill Kukonki’s leveller, to secure City a fifth FA Youth Cup title at under-18 level.

The opening 20 minutes passed without incident, though it was clear the young Reds were out for revenge exactly 40 years on from the last and only meeting between the Manchester clubs in the Youth Cup Final.

Chido Obi threatened shortly after with JJ Gabriel in support on his instep, but his shot travelled clear into the Reds’ away support.

City's Teddie Lamb had the game’s clearest opportunity in the 25th minute, when the Blues attacker stole in from the penalty spot, but Cameron Byrne-Hughes showed sharp reflexes and saved well with his feet before clearing away the resulting corner assuredly to keep the score at 0-0.

It was then roles reversed as Max Hudson was forced to show his acumen to deny Obi at the other end.

As goals go, Samba's opener was definitely worthy of the occasion as his free-kick curled up and over the Reds’ wall before arrowing into the top corner.

But 59 seconds was all it took before United found a way back into the game as Godwill Kukonki took full advantage of a slip inside the penalty area and headed downwards across goal to make it 1-1.

Harrison Miles then found himself in a prime position to test the Reds ‘keeper, but Byrne-Hughes watched the ball closely and collected without sweat to allow his side to settle after a tireless six minutes or so.

City came out with the same energy in the early stages of the second half and twice went close through Heskey and Ryan McAidoo, who hit their respective efforts wide.

Gabriel – who picked up the U18 Premier League Player of the Season award in the week – was limited to little but found an extra yard to test Hudson on the hour mark before the game steadied.

Reigan Heskey may have just won it for @Mancity in the final few minutes! 😱

📺 @Footballontntpic.twitter.com/9znjU2s5l2

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 14, 2026

But City found their form at the right time, as McAidoo did well to keep the ball alive before playing it across goal, where Heskey arrived to strike home a late, late winner in the Manchester sunset to deny their cross-city rivals a record 12th title.

Manchester City: Max Hudson, Dante Headley, Leke Drake, Kaden Braithwaite (c), Jake Wain, Harrison Miles, Ryan McAidoo, Floyd Samba, Teddie Lamb, Tyrone Samba, Reigan Heskey.

Substitutes: Finlay Gorman for T. Samba 69’, Xavier Parker for McAidoo 91’, Kylan Midwood for Heskey 91’

Substitutes not used: Ben Vickery, Charlie Courtman, Oliver Tevenan, Karim Cassim

Head coach: Oliver Reiss

Manchester United: Cameron Byrne-Hughes, Yuel Helafu, Albert Mills, Dan Armer (c), Godwill Kukonki, Rafe McCormack, Amir Ibragimov, Jim Thwaites, Chido Obi, JJ Gabriel, Noah Ajayi.

Substitutes: Nathaniel Junior Brown for McCormack 46’, James Overy for Kukonki 80’, Dante Plunkett for Helafu 91’, Samuel Lusale for Ajayi 91’

Substitutes not used: Fred Heath, Jay McEvoy, Louie Bradbury

Head coach: Darren Fletcher