Manchester United FA Youth Cup final player ratings: Garnacho 9, Bennett 8, Mather 7

United delight the record Old Trafford crowd of 67,492 after beating Nottingham Forest 3-1

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  MANCHESTER UNITED YOUTH CUP FINAL PLAYER RATINGS: Radek Vitek – 6. Czech goalkeeper compared to Oliver Kahn and Peter Schmeichel. He looked like neither as he let Forest’s equaliser role through his legs on 44. Fortunately, he was on the winning side in front of 67,492 and, mistake aside, he played well. PA

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  Sam Murray – 8. Left back who put a cross in to set up the opening goal. Went in strong in a 59th minute challenge for a header but escaped a yellow (no match photo available). Getty

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  Marc Jurado – 7. Catalan right back had a shot on target just after half time as United tried to regain their lead. Floored by a poor 54th minute tackle but kept firing up his compatriot Garnacho as well and pinging balls forward. PA

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  Louis Jackson – 7. Left centre-back aged just 16, he stood in for Tyler Fredricson and performed well doing a tough job against an accomplished, hard-working Forest team (no match photo available). Getty

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  Rhys Bennett – 8. Captain and central defender who opened the scoring after 12 minutes with a header from a free kick. A threat in the air at set-pieces. Stood tall when it mattered. “It’s the best feeling I’ve ever had in my life,” he said. “You dream of scoring at Old Trafford, even as a defender.” Getty

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  Alejandro Garnacho – 9. Left winger from Madrid who has been the side’s star player. Curled a 40th minute shot wide but left his man Powell – who scored the equaliser. Fouled outside the area – and won a penalty, which he scored after 79. Got the third after 93, a sublime individual finish. Seven goals made him the top scorer in this season’s competition. Getty

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  Kobbie Mainoo – 8. Mancunian central midfielder who drove forward as one of the midfield two in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Tackled, dribbled, played well. Getty

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  Dan Gore – 7. Busy central midfielder who came alive as he urged the vast crowd to get behind the team on the way to United’s record 12th FA Youth Cup and the club’s first in 11 years. Getty

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  Sam Mather – 7. Right winger who was stood in the away end at Brighton at the weekend singing Manchester United songs. Five games in the competition, three goals and two assists. Getty

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  Isak Hansen – 7. Played as a 10. Not as busy as previous games but picked the ball up in nice spots and linked the play well. Getty

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  Charlie McNeil – 6. Had a shot just after half time in a spell of sustained United pressure. Worked really hard but didn’t get the breaks (no match photo available). Getty

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  MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 11: Rhys Bennett of Manchester United celebrates with the FA Youth Cup trophy following victory in the FA Youth Cup Final match between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on May 11, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey / Getty Images)

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  Joe Hugill (McNeil 64’) – 7. “This football club is built on success and youth,” said Nick Cox, the head of the academy. “I genuinely feel the fans turned up to show those embers still burn bright. It doesn’t matter in the short term what goes off, in the long term those things don’t leave this football club.” Getty

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  Sonny Aljofree (Mather 86’) – N/A. Getty

Manchester United's next generation provided a glimmer of hope at the end of a troubled season after winning the FA Youth Cup in front of a competition record crowd on Wednesday.

While United's senior stars have laboured through a dismal campaign that sees them languishing in sixth place in the Premier League, the crop of youngsters emerging from the club's academy could provide a brighter future.

Alejandro Garnacho was the hero for United's Under-18 side in the 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest to win their first FA Youth Cup since 2011.

There were 67,492 in attendance at Old Trafford, smashing the competition's previous record of 38,187.

United captain Rhys Bennett's opener was cancelled out when Joshua Powell's shot beat Radek Vitek just before half-time.

But Travis Binnion's team were not to be denied and Garnacho replicated Cristiano Ronaldo's celebration after firing home a penalty. The 17-year-old netted again with deflected stoppage-time effort to seal the trophy. He made his first-team debut last month, having starred on the run to United's 11th FA Youth Cup triumph.

Former United manager Alex Ferguson was in the stands to cheer on the youngsters alongside former players Bryan Robson and Michael Carrick, as well as David de Gea, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes from Ralf Rangnick's current squad.

A banner reading the 'Class of 22' was held up in the Stretford End at full-time.

Although it is too soon to compare this generation to United's famous 'Class of 92' featuring David Beckham, Paul Scholes and the Neville brothers, for one night at least fans could dream of better days to come.

In the photo gallery above, Andy Mitten has provided his player ratings for the Manchester United squad. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.