Darren Fletcher is confident that the sting of back-to-back cup final heartbreaks will only make his Manchester United youngsters stronger when the next season rolls around.

The Red Devils fell 2-1 to Manchester City in the FA Youth Cup final at the Joie Stadium, conceding a devastating late goal that sealed their fate. It was a tough blow for a squad that had already endured a penalty shootout defeat to Crystal Palace in the Premier League Under-18 Cup final just last month. To add to the disappointment, they finished second behind City in the Premier League North table.

Fletcher, in his first season at the helm, admitted that his side didn't hit their usual heights on Thursday night, with several key players struggling to find their form. But rather than dwell on the losses, he sees them as a powerful motivator for the future.

"I am really proud of them," Fletcher said. "I have loved every minute. No sour grapes tonight—we didn't deserve to lose against Crystal Palace, but we came up short against City."

"The players are gutted. But when you lose, it doesn't half drive you forward next season. It changes your summer. There is no celebrating. You are thinking about rectifying the feeling of defeat."

Looking ahead, there's plenty of reason for optimism. Four of his starting lineup, including star forward JJ Gabriel, will be eligible to return next season. Also watch for 16-year-old Kai Rooney, who missed the final through injury, and it will be interesting to see whether Michael Carrick's son, Jacey, pushes his way into Fletcher's plans.

For now, though, the focus is on turning that pain into progress. As Fletcher knows all too well, the best comebacks often start with a tough lesson.