Rubbing salt in Arsenal wounds with Chido Obi - Manchester United are looking to create history

Manchester United will be dressed in their smart black suits when they arrive at the Emirates to face Arsenal. The youngsters are looking to reach the FA Youth Cup semi-finals and Friday night's game against Arsenal in their own backyard promises to be an enthralling encounter.

United have won the Youth Cup more than any other club and there is a growing confidence the Class of '25 can extend the club's rich history in the prestigious academy competition.

Adam Lawrence has stacks of talent at his disposal and the U18s have easily brushed aside Coventry City, Preston North End and Chelsea on their way to the competition's last-eight.

Coventry were hammered 5-0 in December, Preston suffered a 5-2 defeat a month later and Chelsea were beaten 5-1 in February. The U18s suffered a shock defeat to Swindon Town in the early rounds of last season's Youth Cup and have seemed determined to make amends.

They have certainly done that - and then some. They have been a cut above the opposition they have faced so far and made lightwork of beating Chelsea after conceding the first goal.

Preston put up the biggest fight and threatened to come back after being 4-0 down at half-time. The Lancashire club scored twice in quick succession in the second half and would have been just one goal away from equalising if not for some outstanding saves from William Murdock.

United head into the quarter-finals against Arsenal having been relatively unchallenged, but the Gunners aren't expected to be shot down as easily in front of 10,000 fans at the Emirates.

Having said that, Arsenal's U18s are in the bottom half of their southern youth league and United will be quietly confident they can claim another victory to progress in the competition.

United