Man United U18s secure a league and cup double after victory against rivals Man City - as new technical director Jason Wilcox watches on alongside Red Devils legend Wayne Rooney

Manchester United new technical director Jason Wilcox watched on alongside Wayne Rooney as the club’s Under-18s secured a league and cup double over Man City.

Having already won the Premier League North title last week with a win at Wolves, United’s young stars backed it up with an impressive display over their neighbours at Leigh Sports Village.

Many of those involved found themselves on the first team bench at Wembley on Sunday for the dramatic FA Cup semi-final win over Coventry City.

But first team boss Erik ten Hag recognised the importance of this Premier League Cup final for the likes of Harry Amass and Ethan Wheatley and was keen for them to play a part.

It represented a huge boost for U18s boss Adam Lawrence as Wheatley scored a first half brace, the first on the volley and the second by rounding the goalkeeper, before he was withdrawn at the interval alongside Amass and centre back Louis Jackson.

All three, along with half-time substitute Habeeb Ogunneye, are again set to be involved on the bench for the first team against Sheffield United and Mail Sport understands the agreement was for them to get 45 minutes so as to keep them fresh for Wednesday night.

Wilcox is less than a week into his job at United but the former Man City academy director will have been impressed with what he saw from the club’s next generation, who managed to hold on after a late consolation goal from Steven Mfuni.

He was in good spirits here, sharing a laugh with Rooney and former technical director Darren Fletcher, who is continuing with the football leadership team, overseeing both the men’s first team and academy groups, under a new title.

Asked about how he sees his relationship with Wilcox, who arrives as technical director as part of a restructuring by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos team, Ten Hag said on Tuesday: ‘We have to form a partnership, it’s very important. 

‘We are a little behind in the process so we will go and speed up the process.

‘I met him yesterday for the first time. This week we will not have so much time and I know his profile - a lot of experience in youth and one year at Southampton. I am looking forward to our partnership.’