If there is something of an end-of-term feel around Manchester United at the moment, you would not know it from watching their players who are still old enough to be in sixth form. In front of a record crowd of 67,000, the under-18s ensured that Old Trafford would end a difficult, drifting season at first team level on a much-needed note of positivity, winning the 11th FA Youth Cup of the club’s history.
This feel-good victory, secured late by Alejandro Garnacho, meant this was Old Trafford but not as we have known it of late. There was a trophy presentation – remember those? – and it was joyous. The lap of honour was well-attended and applauded. The standing ovations for young players who put everything into the performance were long and heartfelt. Even the several pitch invaders who interrupted United’s post-match celebrations seemed to be carried away by security a little more gently than usual.
