Man United's academy stars are out to echo club's fabled Class of '92 in the FA Youth Cup final, with Alejandro Garnacho and Co aiming to emulate Beckham, Giggs, Neville and Butt by winning it for a record 11th time

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Man United's academy stars are out to echo club's fabled Class of '92 in the FA Youth Cup final, with Alejandro Garnacho and Co aiming to emulate Beckham, Giggs, Neville and Butt by winning it for a record 11th time

It's 30 years ago this week since Manchester United's fabled Class of '92 lifted the FA Youth Cup, a competition deeply engrained in the history of the club.

On Wednesday at a packed Old Trafford, United's latest batch of young stars will try to emulate the likes of David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Nicky Butt by winning it for a record 11th time against first-time finalists Nottingham Forest.

Around 65,000 tickets have been sold for the game so far, meaning the previous highest attendance of 38,137 for United's semi-final at Arsenal in 2007 will be smashed out of sight.

Manchester United's latest crop of academy stars are aiming to emulate the club's fabled Class of '92 in Wednesday night's FA Youth Cup final at Old Trafford against Nottingham Forest

Manchester United's latest crop of academy stars are aiming to emulate the club's fabled Class of '92 in Wednesday night's FA Youth Cup final at Old Trafford against Nottingham Forest

Manchester United's latest crop of academy stars are aiming to emulate the club's fabled Class of '92 in Wednesday night's FA Youth Cup final at Old Trafford against Nottingham Forest

United's Class of '92, featuring Ryan Giggs (front row, third from right), David Beckham (front row, second from right) and Gary Neville (back row, third from left), won it 30 years ago

United's Class of '92, featuring Ryan Giggs (front row, third from right), David Beckham (front row, second from right) and Gary Neville (back row, third from left), won it 30 years ago

WATCHING BRIEF 

FA YOUTH CUP FINAL

Man United vs Nottingham Forest 

Wednesday May 11; Kick-off 7.30pm

Old Trafford

Live on The FA Player and MUTV

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'A normal crowd would be my mum and my sister!' smiles captain Rhys Bennett. 

'Because of Covid, one or two per player so about 20 or 30 odd.' 

Eleven years have passed since Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard helped United last win this trophy in 2011, and that particular chapter will close when both players leave Old Trafford this summer.

But United's commitment to youth is beyond question. 

The number of consecutive games with an academy product in the first-team squad now runs to 4,146 with Alejandro Garnacho the latest and 243rd graduate to break through.

'Seeing someone like Alejandro do it shows us we can do it as well,' says winger Sam Mather.

Beckham and Co stand out because they went on to enjoy so much success as a group at senior level, but could that ever be repeated?

'I definitely believe it's possible,' says full-back Sam Murray. 'The way they bring us up is unique.

Paul Pogba (second right) and Jesse Lingard (second left) played for Manchester United the last time they appeared in the FA Youth Cup final, back in 2011

Paul Pogba (second right) and Jesse Lingard (second left) played for Manchester United the last time they appeared in the FA Youth Cup final, back in 2011

Now a new generation of Old Trafford talent, including Alejandro Garnacho (middle) will hope to impress in front of a record crowd of around 65,000 on Wednesday night

Now a new generation of Old Trafford talent, including Alejandro Garnacho (middle) will hope to impress in front of a record crowd of around 65,000 on Wednesday night

'We've had coaching with some of the Class of '92. We know they're a close group and that is similar to us.' 

Forest coach Warren Joyce was working in United's academy when they beat a Sheffield United side featuring Harry Maguire in the 2011 final.

Current United Under 18s boss Travis Binnion was on the opposition bench then, but he knows what this occasion means for the club and potentially the players as well.

'The hairs on the back of my neck stand up thinking about the Busby Babes, the Class of '92 and 2011,' says Binnion.

'The lads can see what sort of careers they've had and the household names they've become.

'We want to win the Youth Cup but if six or seven of these boys go on and play in the Premier League, that is a far greater achievement.'

Charlie McNeil, a prolific goalscorer in the youth ranks, pictured celebrating in the semi-final

Charlie McNeil, a prolific goalscorer in the youth ranks, pictured celebrating in the semi-final 

YOUTH CUP FACTS AND STATS

Jonny Brick has written a book chronicling the history of the FA Youth Cup complete with player recollections about the competition from the past 70 years.

From Kids to Champions, by Pitch Publishing, is released on May 16 and you can order it here. Jonny has provided Sportsmail with some facts and stats about Wednesday's final:

  • The last time United won the Youth Cup was in 2011, when they beat Sheffield United 6-3 on aggregate with a team which included Jesse Lingard, Paul Pogba and Sam Johnstone.
  • United striker Alejandro Garnacho scored in the semi-final and imitated Cristiano Ronaldo with his celebration. He has since trained with Lionel Messi after being called up to the Argentina national team.
  • Forest striker Detlef Esapa Osong scored twice in the semi-final against Chelsea, including a last-minute penalty to extend the lead to 3-1. Impressively, he chose not to dribble the ball to the corner flag to see the game out, winning the penalty in the process
  • This is the second consecutive season that a Midlands club have reached the FA Youth Cup final. In 2021, an Aston Villa team containing Carney Chukwuemeka and striker Louie Barry defeated Liverpool 2-1.
  • The last time a club reached the Youth Cup final for the first time was 2014. In a thrilling two-legged final, Fulham came up against the dominant side of the modern era and lost 7-6 to Chelsea. Patrick Roberts, who left Man City for Sunderland in January, was on the losing side, and this Monday he scored the winning goal which sent the Mackems to the League One play-off final.
  • Since United's Youth Cup win in 2011, Chelsea have won it six times (losing two finals) and Manchester City have won it once, having also lost four finals, three of those to Chelsea.

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