Reigan Heskey scored a late winner for Manchester City to clinch the FA Youth Cup against their rivals Manchester United with first-team managers Pep Guardiola and Michael Carrick watching on.

The 18-year-old winger showed great composure with three minutes to go to fire into the roof of the net with his dad, former Leicester City and Liverpool striker Emile, also in attendance.

The goal secured City’s fifth success in this under-18s competition as they saw off 11-time winners United.

City took the lead in the 40th minute with a stunning free-kick from Floyd Samba – son of former Blackburn Rovers defender Chris Samba – as he found the top corner from 20 yards out.

Along with Carrick and Guardiola, there were a number of first-team figures from both sides here including the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Phil Foden.

The home fans ironically chanted ‘1-0 to the empty seats’ after the away support had mocked them for not selling out the Joie Stadium, the ground used by City’s academy and women’s teams.

The the location of the game generated some controversy, with City insisting on hosting at the Joie Stadium rather than the Etihad Stadium and turning down a request from United to stage it at at Old Trafford.

United were level within two minutes when a superb cross from Jim Thwaites was headed home by full-back Godwill Kukonki.

JJ Gabriel had a quiet half by his standards but he did set up Chido Obi for a decent chance before he was given a yellow card when he was adjudged to have dived in the penalty area.

Fifteen-year-old attacking midfielder tested Max Hudson in the City goal early in the second half.

City came close with 14 minutes to go as Ryan McAidoo’s deflected cross hit the top of the bar but spun away from goal.

They eventually got the winner in the 87th minute as Heskey’s strike found the roof of the net after good work from McAidoo saw him lay it off to Jake Wain who then found the goalscorer.

OUR FA YOUTH CUP CHAMPIONS! 🩵🏆 pic.twitter.com/qWVpnbZCmL

— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 14, 2026

A memorable evening for City, disappointment for United

The City fans sang ‘Champions again, ole, ole’ at the end. This was a great night for Oliver Reiss’ side in front of their own fans as they got their hands on the trophy they last won in 2024.

For Darren Fletcher’s team, it was not the moment they got to join some of the club’s previous greats in winning this competition.

The under-18s boss will hope it will be something they can learn from. They gave it their all but City just had that moment of ruthlessness from Heskey to win an entertaining affair.

Heskey was one of the standout performers for City alongside Samba and McAidoo, who played a pivotal role in the winning goal with his movement in the box.

It was a tough night for Gabriel and Obi along with Noah Ajayi as United’s attack failed to really click into gear after so many brilliant performances this season.

They will hope there are much bigger nights to come in the first team in the future but, for now at least, it is a disappointment for Fletcher’s side.

Having lost the Premier League Under-18s Cup in the final and finishing four points behind City in the league, the season may not end with silverware but there is still plenty of promise for the future.