'I was at Manchester United for a long time' - Warren Joyce planning FA Youth Cup shock with Nottingham Forest

The last time Manchester United contested an FA Youth Cup final, Warren Joyce was part of the staff helping to prepare a team featuring players who would go on to carve out illustrious careers in the game.

Joyce was managing United's reserves in 2010/11 - what is effectively now the Under-23s team - and he worked with Paul McGuinness, who guided the youth side to Youth Cup glory that season, beating Sheffield United 6-3 on aggregate in the final.

Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard were in that team, as were Sam Johnstone, Michael Keane, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Will Keane and Ravel Morrison. Harry Maguire started both legs for the Blades.

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It's a reminder that this prestigious competition can often be the start of the journey and when United fans look back on their return to the final this season, they might scan the teamsheet and see a host of familiar names in years to come as well.

Joyce will again play an integral part in the final, but this time he will be in the opposition dugout at Old Trafford, in charge of Nottingham Forest Under-18s, who will seek to upset the odds in what is now a one-off game on Wednesday night.

Joyce's record in youth development is exceptional but since he left United in 2016 the academy has seen its fair share of ups and downs. While the conveyor belt has generally kept on rolling, results have suffered. There was an ignominious relegation for the Under-23s and a series of surprising Youth Cup defeats.

But Oldham-born Joyce has been at Old Trafford for some of United's previous games in this competition this season and he believes the academy is back on track.

"It’s not about results but they’ve got to win and win the right