BBC make major last-minute announcement on showpiece Man Utd match

BBC Sport will show the FA Youth Cup Final between Manchester United and Manchester City on Thursday, after the broadcaster confirmed the news a little over 24 hours before the tie. They will stream the game alongside TNT Sport.

The Manchester derby, played at the Joie Stadium, will be available on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website but be produced by TNT Sports. The BBC will make use of TNT Sports’ bespoke feed coverage and commentary for digital audiences.

The agreement builds on the FA Cup partnership between the broadcasters, which sees TNT Sports sublicense matches to the BBC, complementing its live coverage. It ensures both teams' young stars will be seen by an audience larger than the 7,000 able to watch in person.

Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport said: “We’re excited to be working in partnership with TNT Sports to bring this year’s FA Youth Cup Final to audiences across the UK. This is a brilliant occasion featuring two outstanding academies and some of the brightest young talent in English football, and we’re really pleased that, through this collaboration, fans who can’t be there in person will also be able to watch the match live across BBC digital platforms. Thank you to TNT Sports and the FA for making this possible”.

Scott Young, EVP Sports Creative and Production, WBD Sports Europe said: “We are looking forward to broadcasting the FA Youth Cup Final, a fantastic showcase for emerging football talent, and we are delighted to extend our partnership with the BBC to bring this Manchester Derby to football fans and audiences across the UK, however they choose to watch. Our partnership with the BBC for the Emirates FA Cup has seen audiences grow across all platforms, so we are excited to extend this to the FA Youth Cup.”

The clash between the rivals has already seen some controversy after City's Etihad Stadium was deemed unavailable, with the senior side hosting Crystal Palace on Wednesday night. United were disappointed that their players are not experiencing an elite first-team stadium, and even offered up Old Trafford as an alternative.

First team boss Michael Carrick believes that the team should have been afforded the opportunity. "I'm disappointed, to be honest," said Carrick, who featured for West Ham against Coventry in the final in 1999.

"I think getting to the Youth Cup final always seems to have been a thing where you play at the main stadium. It's such a showcase event for players of that age group.

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"I think I've had some amazing memories, some of my best memories, in that competition of playing with your close mates and it's a shame that it hasn't worked out for whatever reason. But listen, for the boys to go there, it's a fantastic game, it's a great opportunity. I'm sure the game itself will be good, and I'm looking forward to going and supporting the boys."

Carrick will be in attendance for the match on Thursday, with under-18s boss Darren Fletcher believing that it is an important move. The former England international will be able to watch the displays of JJ Gabriel and striker Chido Obi, amongst a talent crop of teens targeting the club's 12th win.

"All the players love it when the first team manager is there," Fletcher said. "It shows he cares and he's got eyes on it. It inspires them.

"It definitely shows them this is a club that thinks about young players and doesn't just speak about it. That's throughout the history of the club, but when you see it in action, it brings it to life really. It's powerful and the parents like it."