Garnacho’s double shows the United kids are alright

MANCHESTER UNITED’S youngsters cast a ray of hope through a season of gloom at Old Trafford as they lifted the FA Youth Cup for a record 11th time last night. United’s matchwinner was Alejandro Garnacho, the 17-year-old rising star who made his first-team debut against Chelsea last month having been called up by Argentina to train alongside Lionel Messi. Garnacho won and converted a penalty in the 78th minute, although there was an element of controversy about referee Josh Smith’s decision to point to the spot. Nottingham Forest defender Zach Abbott miscontrolled a pass form Pharrell Johnson and then brought down Garnacho as he stole in, but contact with the Argentine’s trailing leg appeared to be outside the box. No VAR meant no second chances for Forest, and Garnacho slotted home the penalty before treating the crowd of 67,192 — a record for the FA Youth Cup by some distance — to his version of Cristiano Ronaldo’s trademark ‘Siuuu!’ celebration. Garnacho then made sure of victory in the fourth minute of added time, twisting into the box before firing home. United had taken the lead in the 12th minute when Sam Murray’s free kick picked out captain Rhys Bennett whose header evaded the grasp of goalkeeper Aaron Bott. The home side went close to extending their lead but were rocked moments before half-time when Joshua Powell’s shot from the edge of the box squirmed under keeper Radek Vitek. However, Garnacho’s double gave United victory almost 30 years to the day since the club’s Class of ’92 famously won this competition, with Sir Alex Ferguson watching in the crowd.

INCOMING United boss Erik ten Hag secured the Dutch title for Ajax last night with a 5-0 victory over Heerenveen.