It wasn’t to be Manchester City’s day on Tuesday, as they were beaten by rivals Manchester United in the Premier League Cup final.. The under-18s have maintained their high standards this season, but have come up against a United side who have raised the level. City can better their tally from last season that won them a fourth-straight title, but United have already surpassed that total to be crowned champions – and completed a double by lifting the League Cup equivalent for the under-18s this week.. Ethan Wheatley – on the bench for United at Wembley in the FA Cup and set to be involved in the Premier League on Wednesday – scored a first-half brace which proved enough to down City in front of former academy head (and now United technical director) Jason Wilcox, and United legend Wayne Rooney.. At full time, City players sank to the turf almost in unison and the fireworks had barely finished before head coach Ben Wilkinson ushered his players down the tunnel as United lifted the trophy. From disappointment comes the positives, however, with 16-year-old Stephen Mfuni impressing again and scoring as he continues a record-breaking campaign.. ALSO READ: Man City still hold Academy power balance despite defeat – and Man Utd cup final approach proves it. ALSO READ: I missed eight months for Man City – now I’m back to win the cup and finish my A Levels. Mfuni’s eventful day. 16-year-old centre-back Mfuni has been fast-tracked to the under-18s this season and even used in the under-21s – and it’s clear to see why. The defender is calm on the ball and many of City’s attacks against United started on his side. As City pushed to save something from the final, Mfuni popped up in the box to set up a nervy finish, even if it only proved to be a consolation.. His performance was even more remarkable considering that he had spent a full day at school before linking up with City and turning in a fine final showing. “He’s outstanding for a boy of his age,” head coach Ben Wilkinson told MEN Sport, revealing an impressive record achieved this season. “I know he’s played more minutes for the under-18s and under-21s than any other under-16 we’ve ever had. So that gives you an idea of what we think of him.”. Wilkinson wants Mfuni to learn from United’s opening goal where Mfuni was ‘sucked in’ by the home side, but hopes are high for the England under-17 international, who is treading ground that no academy player has previously – including someone as highly rated as Phil Foden (although Foden was admittedly promoted to the first team when he was still eligible for the under-18s).. “He’s done great, he’s had a fantastic year and hopefully he can really kick on over the next couple of years,” Wilkinson added of Mfuni, keeping the youngster’s feet firmly on the ground.. All eyes on the Youth Cup. City still have three under-18 Premier League games before the FA Youth Cup final on May 10, but Wilkinson has admitted that the showpiece final is the academy’s main priority from now on. Especially after losing the PL Cup final to United. “They’ve got experience of a final and a negative one – hopefully it hurts,” the coach said.. “It’s not nice losing finals but being on the receiving end in that moment, watching the opposition going to collect the trophy is not a nice moment for any football team. We’ve got a great opportunity in two weeks to play in a massive game, it’s just about recovering from this one and paying attention to that.”. One positive of losing to United, according to Wilkinson, is to see how his players perform while chasing a game so early – not something they are used to. The City staff were pleased with how their players responded, particularly in the way they didn’t force for a second-half goal, and are now looking for the squad to learn from their defensive mistakes when the Youth Cup final comes around.. Leeds learn Youth Cup allocation. After the FA Youth Cup final date was confirmed for Friday May 10 at the Etihad Stadium, tickets have sold well for City, who have opened up a few blocks of the lower bowl of the Etihad before extending the home tickets should the original blocks sell out. Fan group 1894, behind the eyecatching flags and banners in the South Stand, have made an effort to pick a block and encourage other fans to attend with them to back the young Blues.. Leeds, who requested the final was not held on its original date of May 4 so more of their fans could attend (it clashed with their final Championship fixture of the season), will get just over 5000 tickets in the South Stand. They can expect to sell out given they attracted 10,000 at Elland Road for the semi-final, and may feel a little hard done-by not to receive 15 per cent of the Etihad’s capacity as per competition rules.. City will hope to outnumber the away support, but fans attending will have to plan ahead because Take That play at the Co-op Live arena next door on the same night, assuming it has actually opened by then. And fans planning to do a Youth Cup-Premier League double will be up early on Saturday as City are down in London to take on Fulham at Craven Cottage at 12.30pm the following day.. Delap’s loan admission. Back from his long-term injury, Liam Delap impressed on his return for Hull as they chase a late play-off place in the Championship. The striker is looking further ahead, too, admitting that he would be open to staying at the KCOM Stadium if the possibility arises in the summer.. “You’ve just got to play the last three games, hopefully, another three and see what happens in the summer,” he said after hearing Hull fans ask him to stay from the terraces. “There’s discussions that obviously get had, so I’ll just see what happens. I do love it here and I do love the fans, I love playing and playing with the manager and with the boys. We’ll just see what happens and, you know, there’s conversations to be had.”. “Yes, definitely [owe the club for standing by him]. I think I’ve got to show a great appreciation for everyone here, and I love it here. It’s made me really happy that they’ve done that because now I get the last few games with the boys and to play in front of the fans.”
