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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith

Sir Alex Ferguson leads Manchester United greats cheering on youngsters in FA Youth Cup final

Sir Alex Ferguson is in attendance for tonight's FA Youth Cup final between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.

United's Under-18s are looking to become the first Reds side to win the competition since the likes of Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard helped the Class of 2011 lifted the trophy 11 years ago. Playing in front of a recording-breaking crowd, touching almost 70,000 people, United's Class of 2022 will be aiming to impress legendary boss Ferguson.

Ahead of kick-off, the Scot was spotted in the stands, as were several current and former United players. Club captain Harry Maguire, goalkeeper David de Gea, centre-backs Phil Jones and Eric Bailly and midfielder Scott McTominay were amongst the current first-team players spotted lending their support.

READ MORE: Manchester United U18s vs Nottingham Forest U18s LIVE

As well as Maguire and McTominay watching from the directors' box, youngsters Shola Shoretire and Alvaro Fernandez have also put in an appearance. As well as that, former United quartet Bryan Robson, Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt were also on hand to lend their support.

Both Butt and Giggs came through the United academy, meaning they know how big an occasion this will be for Travis Binnion's side. Furthermore, former United midfielder Carrick was invited by the club as a thank you for his work with the club's academy players in the past.

Former United assistant boss Kieran McKenna is also understood to have been invited to the game for the exact same reason. He left United last year to join Ipswich Town for his first managerial post.

Sat alongside Ferguson, meanwhile, was former Everton and Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce. He has been out of management since leaving West Bromwich Albion a year ago.

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