Would it be a bad idea to make the CC a U21 tournament in the future? The FA, FIFA, UEFA and pretty much everybody else is asking for squads to play more youths. I think it would be a good idea, as it would give the youths out there a great cup to fight for, and also provide a great arena for their development and experience.
What to you think?

And as for next year and our squad. I really hope Mancini will use more squad players than this year. It should definitely be Pantilimon's tournament for example and the likes of Roman, Suarez and Rekik should be starters.

I wouldn't mind us NOT going to the CC final if it was because we gave sqaud players playing time.

Thoughts?

Yep, do an Arsenil and play the rezzies/ kids all the way through

Give them games

Ok for clubs in Europe - but tell Bury/Rochdale or any lower league team to field under 21's and they'll laugh at you !!

( as we would have done if United fans had suggested this 14 years ago )

No, that would devalue the competition. There's a Europa League spot available for winning it, so whilst it might not be our club's aim it is a way into Europe for teams outside the top 6.

Nevertheless it's a good way of introducing players with little experience into the team and it's best to play up to 3 players with experience around them for them to get the benefit.

This would deny the mid-table sides such as Stoke and Fulham the opportunity to win a trophy.

Not for me.

I think its a good comp for fringe players, like we did with Hargreaves (when he was fit) Also its needed for Panti, he needs games.

If you were to do this perhaps 5 (or similar) of the 11 would have to be 23 or under, but I don't particularly have a problem with it as it is.

I think Youth need to be blooded through a tournament like this, Wenger has shown how effective this can be... But for every team? No...

There will be 30+ experienced players in lower league teams who could play against our 17yr old kids and really teach them a lesson, giving them competitive football.

A limit of how many over 25's for Premier league sides?
So a maximum of 4 of the starting 11 in a Premier league team.
With experience allowed on the bench (if the kids start struggling)

Teams below the Prem could field whoever they wanted.

This for me would rejuvenate this tournament, allowing an opportunity for youth players to be given more spotlight.

it worked well for Wenger, I knew more about his Youth Prospects over the years than I did City's (untill more recently when mcfc.co.uk started showing youth matches)

Clearly a U12 would be impossible for reasons mentioned above. I didn't think about the lower leagues.
Maybe any general age-based restriction is out of the question, but speaking just for us I hope we take the Arsenal approach to the tournament.

win it!