Man Utd U18s won 2-1 against Derby County in the FA Youth Cup and three young stars were in the same team.
21:37, 23 Jan 2026Updated 21:42, 23 Jan 2026
Chido Obi scored against Derby.(Image: Manchester United)
The definition of an embarrassment of riches: more options or resources than one knows what to do with. Darren Fletcher had that when Manchester United played in the FA Youth Cup on Friday night.
It almost felt unfair for JJ Gabriel and Chido Obi to start together against Derby County. They are both special talents who can hold their own against senior professionals, never mind fellow teenagers.
Kai Rooney was on the bench. Wayne Rooney’s son is that prolific in front of goal that he scored 56 goals in one season when he was 11. His father was in the stands, sitting alongside Michael Carrick, to watch.
Carrick attended to show further support for the academy after watching the Under-21s in action on Tuesday. Carrick spoke about the importance of the Youth Cup and said that he was “excited” to attend.
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Steve Holland and Jonny Evans were also spotted in the directors’ box. Stephen Torpey, head of the academy, is understood to have welcomed the presence of the first-team staff at youth games again. Ruben Amorim did not show a similar interest during his one-and-a-half tenure in Manchester.
Rooney tried to avoid attention when he arrived at Old Trafford, but a hood did not succeed in disguising his identity from a few excited supporters outside the ground, who stopped him for photographs.
It was a big story that Rooney’s son was on the bench at Old Trafford, nine years after his final game at the ground. Kai has played as a striker since he was a boy, but his father recently explained that his role has changed, saying: “He’s gone to the right wing. Left-footed, coming in off the right side.”
The warning signs were there for Derby. Gabriel danced down the left side – his balance is impressive – and played a delightful cross into the box. The 16-year-old was soon down that flank again, cutting inside and getting a shot away, only to be denied by Derby goalkeeper Cristiano Dzialuk.
Gabriel looked dangerous from the start.(Image: Manchester United)
Obi didn’t want his younger peer to steal the show and attempted a shot of his own from the edge of the box. A few minutes later, he was denied by the outstretched legs of Dzialuk.
The striker made seven Premier League appearances last season and starred during the post-season tour, but he’s exclusively played in academy fixtures because coaches felt he still needs to develop.
It’s bound to have been difficult for Obi to drop down after getting a taste of playing in front of a full-capacity Old Trafford, however, anyone who has watched him play for the U21s this season will agree with the decision to move him down, as he still has parts of his game to improve.
Obi’s final ball, decision-making and work rate out of possession could be better. Nonetheless, he is a lethal striker at youth level, particularly at U18 level. Obi has rarely played U18 football since his arrival, but United want to win the Youth Cup and his inclusion in the team was a signal of intent from Darren Fletcher.
Fletcher has returned to manage the U18s after briefly serving as caretaker. The 41-year-old was offered a role in Carrick’s backroom staff, but felt it was the best choice for his career to return to the U18s.
Fletcher was just as enthusiastic as he was in games against Burnley in the Premier League and Brighton in the FA Cup, shouting instructions to Gabriel and reminding Bendito Mantato of his defensive duties. “Bendi, come on!” Fletcher screamed when Derby made a promising counter-attack.
Mantato had a great game against Derby.(Image: Manchester United)
The word before the game was that Derby needed to be respected and that proved to be the case. Despite the talent on the pitch for United, the away side looked capable of landing a blow.
United goalkeeper Cameron Bryne-Hughes became busier as the match progressed. Fletcher grew increasingly agitated on the touchline. The game wasn’t going according to the script, which was perfectly summed up by Gabriel and Obi getting in each other’s way around Derby’s box.
There was audible anticipation in the stands when Gabriel was sent over the top with 10 minutes remaining, but Derby captain Rio Canoville recovered brilliantly to thwart the danger. Then Mantato, the standout performer in a red shirt, missed a huge chance with seconds of normal time remaining.
Fletcher may have said to continue to ‘huff and puff and blow their house down’ when he prepared his team for extra-time. James Overy and Kai Rooney were introduced from the bench. Overy had an immediate impact by playing a cross into the box that led to the dreadlock being broken in the 101st minute.
A demoralised Derby conceded again two minutes later, their resolve finally giving way. Obi scored the goal he’d been desperate for, and celebrated with a knee slide in front of the 2,000 fans.
There were chants of ‘Rooney, Rooney’ when Kai Rooney was brought on from the bench. Derby set up a nervy end to the game by scoring to make it 2-1 late in extra-time, but it was ultimately United’s strength in depth, their embarrassment of riches, that proved to be the difference on the night.