FA Youth Cup final: Man City U18 2-1 Man Utd: Heskey scores winner

There was great interest in the match, which was played at the 7,000-capacity Joie Stadium with the participation of the first teams of both teams.

United’s manager-in-waiting, Michael Carrick, took his place in the stands along with his coaches, as well as captain Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu.

But those celebrating the U18s lifting the trophy were City’s youth and fans, as well as first team boss Pep Guardiola and senior players such as Phil Foden, Antoine Semenyo and Nathan Ake.

Pre-match star billings of Teddie Lamb and JJ Gabriel, who have combined for 54 goals this season, were kept quiet for most of the contest.

City’s prolific striker Lamb had a close-range effort blocked by an incredible reflex save from Byrne-Hughes, and he also slotted an effort over the crossbar from inside the six-yard box.

At the other end, Gabriel, the Premier League’s U18 player of the season, called on Max Hudson to make a comfortable save low, while the 15-year-old was also booked for a simulation in the penalty area.

Moving out from a promising position, Chido Obi then saw himself clear the way for a better opportunity 14 yards out from goal, but City captain Kaden Braithwaite produced a superb sliding challenge to deny the United striker.

After exchanging goals in the first half, City felt there was a good opportunity for a penalty when Byrne-Hughes brought down Samba in the penalty area, but the home team were only awarded a corner, much to their displeasure.

Reiss’s team were creating the better chances and Heskey provided a warning sign when he crashed into the side netting before scoring the winning goal that he would remember for the rest of his career.