Manchester United’s u18s take on Aston Villa in the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup on Monday night.
After winning the treble last season, the FA Youth Cup was the only competition to allude United’s u18s.
To lift the trophy this season would be special for the entire team but even more so for two plays in particular, Jack and Tyler Fletcher, the sons of Darren Fletcher.
Lifting the illustrious trophy is a rare feat, United have done so 11 times since its inception in 1952, more than any other club.
But lifting it alongside your brother is an even rarer feat, although it has been done before at United.
If United get past Aston Villa in the semi-finals, the Fletcher brothers could join the Neville and Keane brothers in playing alongside each other in an FA Youth Cup final.
Gary and Phil Neville both lifted the FA Youth Cup but didn’t manage to do it in 1993 when they played together against Leeds United.
Gary famously won the cup as part of the class of ‘92 when they beat Crystal Palace in the final but he couldn’t repeat the feat when the captained the side the next year alongside younger brother Phil.
Phil Neville had the chance to captain United in an FA Youth Cup final himself two years later when United defeated Tottenham on penalties to lift the cup.
Perhaps less widely known, are the Keane brothers, Michael and Will, who were apart of the 2011 FA Youth Cup winning side which defeated Harry Maguire’s Sheffield United.
Will Keane scored three goals across the two-legged affair.
Twins, just like the Fletchers, both Keane brothers played for United’s first team but didn’t manage to make the breakthrough long term.
Michael notched five first team appearances before having a very successful career at Everton, while Will made three appearances and now plies his trade at Preston North End.
The two Fletchers won’t just match the Keanes if they get to the FA Youth Cup final though, the two twin pairings already share a unique international career as well.
Despite being twins, both sets represent different countries to their brothers.
Jack captained England u18s over the recent international break while Tyler captained Scotland u19s.
The Keane brothers on the other hand eventually swapped nations when they reached senior level. Michael represented Ireland at youth level before becoming a senior international for Ireland while Will made the opposite route.
Jack and Tyler Fletcher have been mainstays in United’s line-up in their cup run so far and will be hoping to join the Nevilles and Keanes with a win on Monday night.
Featured image Ben Roberts photo via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Colm Murphy
A football obsessed Canadian who moved to England to enjoy the beautiful game. Colm has been keen follower of Manchester United’s famed academy since seeing a fresh faced Adnan Januzaj for the club’s u18s and has been writing about football with a focus on youth development for over 10 years.
