Manchester City and Manchester United’s U18 teams will lock horns in the Premier League Cup final on Tuesday, setting up a thrilling derby showdown. City, who have dominated the league for the past four seasons, will be eager to reclaim their title after losing it to United this season.
The City players have admitted to being motivated by the desire for revenge, but coaches at the City Football Academy are urging them to focus on the task at hand. The team believes that winning the cup, and the FA Youth Cup next month, could boost their transfer value significantly.
Despite losing the league title, City’s U18s have maintained their performance level, amassing more points than they did last season when they were crowned champions. However, United have raised the bar this season, amassing an impressive 59 points and losing only once.
City’s U18 head coach, Ben Wilkinson, acknowledges that United’s dominance has been a wake-up call for the academy. He believes that while the team is disappointed to have lost the league title, the experience could provide motivation for the upcoming cup finals.
Wilkinson also emphasizes the importance of performing in big matches and showcasing the team’s tactical abilities. He stresses that the focus should be on delivering a strong performance rather than dwelling on the rivalry with United.
City’s transition, which involved promoting young players to the Elite Development Squad, has played a role in their league performance. However, Wilkinson believes that winning the upcoming cup finals could provide financial benefits for the club.
The sale of young players has generated significant revenue for City in recent years. Wilkinson suggests that continued success at the youth level could lead to even more lucrative transfers in the future, further bolstering the club’s financial standing.
