Manchester City set to host FA Youth Cup final against Leeds at the Etihad on May 10... with the FA ready to lift deadline for showpiece match and avoid clash with the Blues' Premier League game against Wolves

Manchester City’s FA Youth Cup final against Leeds is set to be hosted at the Etihad on May 10 to accommodate what is expected to be another bumper crowd.

Competition rules state that the final must be played by May 4, but that date clashes with City’s Premier League clash with Wolves and the reigning champions are naturally reluctant to allow their Under-18 side to play on the first-team pitch in the build-up to a match that could prove pivotal in the title race.

However, given the prestige of the Youth Cup, there is a general acceptance across the game that the showpiece match should take place at a club’s main ground and that, Mail Sport understands, has led to the proposal - yet to be ratified by the FA - that the deadline is extended by six days to the following Friday evening.

City knew they would be hosting the final prior to last week's semi-final stage when they ousted Bristol City by a single goal at the Joie Stadium - the regular venue for their youth team fixtures - and Leeds sealed a first final appearance in 27 years by seeing off Millwall 4-3.

That latter match drew more than 10,000 to Elland Road and demand for final tickets from Leeds fans is likely to significantly outstrip the Joie’s 7,000 capacity - away clubs in the Youth Cup are routinely limited to a 15% share - for what is an historic moment in the Yorkshire club’s history. 

Recent finals have been hugely popular occasions. West Ham’s youngsters thrashed Arsenal 5-1 in front of 34,127 at the Emirates last year, while there were 67,492 in attendance at Old Trafford 12 months earlier to witness two late Alejandro Garnacho goals seal Manchester United’s victory over Nottingham Forest.

While it is Leeds’ first final since a team including Jonathan Woodgate, Paul Robinson and Harry Newell beat Crystal Palace over two legs in 1996-97, City are featuring in their sixth in 10 seasons.