Manchester United set up a mouthwatering FA Youth Cup final derby clash with Manchester City as Chido Obi’s extra-time winner sealed a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.
It will be the first time the local rivals have met in the final since 1986, when City emerged victorious with a 3-1 aggregate triumph.
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City will host the game and last won the competition in 2024.
The most recent of United’s record 11 successes came two years before that, when Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho were part of the team that beat Nottingham Forest.
Fifteen-year-old JJ Gabriel thought he had given United victory with his 23rd goal of the season as he produced a fine finish to Chido’s through ball 13 minutes from the end time.
However, in front of 3,189 at Old Trafford, Palace forward Raihaan Anderson levelled two minutes later as he capitalised on a mistake by home goalkeeper Cameron Byrne-Hughes, who lost control of the ball as he slid out to gather in the area.
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The game that included a bizarre first-half substitution when Palace forward David Angibeaud was taken off with what seemed to be a head injury 10 minutes after he had been treated; a decision he clearly disagreed with.
Another Byrne-Hughes error almost led to a winner for Palace full-back Dean Benamar, then, extra-time, Chido set up Gabriel, but he shot straight at visitors keeper Lucca Benetton.
But as United’s substitute keeper Fred Heath was warming up to come on for penalties, Australia youth international James Overy chipped a superb pass down the right to set Chido free.
The Denmark Under-21 international stepped inside Benetton and tapped home.
The two sides meet again in the Premier League Under-18 cup final at Selhurst Park on 22 April.
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