Credit: Imago, TNT Sports on YouTube

Evan Lloyd

Fri 15 May 2026 11:21, UK

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Darren Fletcher could face a charge from the FA after he criticised its handling of Manchester United’s FA Youth Cup Final defeat to Manchester City on Thursday, according to Keith Hackett.

The young Red Devils lost the game 2-1, with Reigan Heskey smashing in a late winner after Godwill Kukonki had cancelled out Floyd Samba’s sensational free kick.

Fletcher was critical of the decision to choose Man City Women’s home, Joie Stadium, to host the final, after the Citizens had rejected calls for it to be played at Old Trafford.

The game had initially been set to go ahead at the Etihad Stadium, but officials declined amid apparent ongoing construction works.

The Man United manager then voiced his frustrations as the winning team’s coaches and players were announced to the stadium in turn, claiming the tie had become a “Man City competition”.

Darren Fletcher expresses anger at FA decisions

Fletcher served as Man United’s caretaker manager in January, before Michael Carrick was appointed on an interim basis.

The Scot returned to his role within the academy following his former teammate’s return, and had hoped to end the season with success in the FA Youth Cup.

But the circumstances surrounding the game, even more than the defeat, have left a sour taste in Fletcher’s mouth.

The 42-year-old was seen shouting at FA officials during the trophy presentation, and after the game, said: “I’m disappointed in the FA for everything that’s gone around this game: for the location, for everything.

“You have to respect the opposition. But not when Man City take over an FA Youth Cup. It’s an FA competition. It should never have been like that.

“I’ve never heard individual coaches be shouted out and every individual player be shouted out. That doesn’t happen in cup finals. It’s an FA competition and it felt like it was a Man City competition for this whole build-up to the game and in terms of how we had to deal with that at the end.”

Carrick and Pep Guardiola reportedly watched the game, which the Citizens claimed was a sell-out at the 7,000-capacity Joie Stadium, although large numbers of empty seats in the home end quickly became clear.

Keith Hackett tips Fletcher for FA charge

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former PGMOL chief Hackett said: “Knowing how to lose is part of sport and the need to retain dignity even if you have lost.

“I can understand the disappointment of Fletcher dealing with a loss in a final to their rivals. However, protesting after the event and the way it has been reported will more than likely land him with a charge of bringing the game into disrepute.

“It hardly sets the right tone, either, to his young players. I would suggest that his boss at United might well offer him some operational advice.”

The charge of bringing the game into disrepute can result in several levels of punishment, depending on the severity.

The most common is a fine, although if the FA determines Fletcher’s case to be on the more serious side, a suspension could be handed down.