Man City were here last year – they want a different ending this time

As a hoarse Oliver Reiss celebrated Manchester City making their second straight FA Youth Cup final under him, he allowed himself a moment of light relief. “All I ask is for the lads to please take the last step this time!”

City Under-18s have had another formidable season under their German coach, who took over from Ben Wilkinson in 2024 and has made successive finals in their two biggest competitions. A number of youngsters have impressed enough to make their first team debuts under Pep Guardiola and others are already shining elsewhere;…