Over 63,000 fans are set to watch the FA Youth Cup final between Man United and Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford – breaking the previous attendance record for the match of 25,000 – with £1 tickets now in VERY short supply
- Manchester United take on Nottingham Forest in the FA Youth Cup final on Wednesday
- Over 63,000 fans will be at Old Trafford in a record crowd for the showpiece game
- United priced tickets just £1, with all receipts going to the club’s Foundation
- Forest will have just under 6,000 fans as they seek to lift the trophy for the first time
- United aim to win the competition for a record 11th time
Over 63,000 fans will attend Wednesday night’s FA Youth Cup final between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford, breaking the competition’s attendance record.
United confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that 63,500 tickets – priced at just £1 – had been sold for the showpiece match, with all receipts going to the club’s charitable foundation.
The crowd will far exceed the previous Youth Cup attendance record of 38,187, set for the first leg between Arsenal and United in March 2007.
Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho celebrates his goal in the FA Youth Cup
Nottingham Forest’s Detlef Esapa Osong celebrates his semi-final goal against Chelsea
United had hoped the crowd would top 50,000, but that target was exceeded with very limited tickets now available on the club’s ticketing site.
Old Trafford’s capacity is 74,140 and Wednesday night attendance may not be far off that.
Forest will be supported by just under 6,000 fans at Old Trafford, with the club contesting their first ever Youth Cup final.
The Championship club have not played United at Old Trafford since Boxing Day 1998, but the first team could return to the Premier League via the play-offs this month.
United are aiming to win the Youth Cup for the 11th time in their history, having not lifted the trophy since a side featuring Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard beat Sheffield United in 2011.
The United ticketing website showed most of Old Trafford sold out (dark red) with only limited areas of the remaining £1 tickets available (lighter red)
Old Trafford will be nearly full to its capacity of 74,000 for Wednesday night’s game
Travis Binnion’s side beat Scunthorpe United, Reading, Everton, Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers to reach the one-legged final.
Forest, who are coached by former United reserves manager Warren Joyce, overcame Bristol City, Peterborough United, Cambridge United, Blackburn Rovers and Chelsea to reach this stage.
On the large crowd, United academy manager Nick Cox told the club’s website: “If you show up and watch the FA Youth Cup final, you are helping their development.”
“If we can have a fierce atmosphere and passionate fans, that will help the boys cope a little better when they get the chance to play in front of 75,000 fans.”
United last won the Youth Cup in 2011, with their squad including (left to right) Ryan Tunnicliffe, Jesse Lingard, Paul Pogba and Ravel Morrison
The United class of 1992, featuring Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and Gary Neville, won the Youth Cup that year.
“The aim of the FA Youth Cup is to create incredible learning opportunities.
“The boys put pressure on themselves to win, the history of competition at this club also puts a bit of pressure on them, and you play in front of crowds, you have that bit of pressure and you have to deal with all the competition from Circumstances cut throw you.
Forest manager Joyce said: “It’s fantastic that so many Forest fans are making the trip to support the boys. I’m sure the way the pitch is laid out, I’m sure they could do as much noise as United fans, if not more.
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