McAidoo's Palace cameo signals breakthrough season ahead for Man City teenager

Ryan McAidoo announced himself to a wider audience with a sharp cameo off the bench in Manchester City’s trip to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, confidently beating his man and cutting inside to force a shot narrowly wide of the far post in the closing minutes.

The 18-year-old winger had already turned heads during pre-season, tormenting Inter Milan’s defence and hitting the post in a friendly in Hong Kong before a shoulder injury interrupted his momentum. His return to action against Palace suggested the layoff has done little to blunt his edge.

Maresca moved quickly to promote McAidoo to the senior squad on the back of that summer tour showing and has spoken openly about his admiration for the teenager. “We have been speaking with the club about Ryan and since day one he is that kind of winger I love,” the City head coach said during the tour. “Very aggressive one v one, always trying, making the right decision. But he is young and he needs the right path.”

The timing of McAidoo’s resurgence is significant. Savinho has been sold and Jeremy Doku is currently sidelined through injury, leaving City short of natural wide options. The club are set to confirm the signing of Brazilian winger Allan ahead of Tuesday’s transfer deadline and are in talks with Liverpool over a potential move for Cody Gakpo, but McAidoo’s development adds an in-house dimension to their planning.

Maresca has indicated he is prepared to hand the former Chelsea youngster starts in cup competitions, with next month’s Carabao Cup tie against Norwich City offering a likely early opportunity. It would not be McAidoo’s first taste of senior football — Pep Guardiola gave him minutes last season, and he scored in the FA Cup win over Exeter City in January. He also played a key role in City’s FA Youth Cup triumph.

City were determined to keep McAidoo this summer despite reported interest from other Premier League clubs, including Liverpool. That resolve may yet prove well-placed if the teenager can sustain the form he showed at Selhurst Park across a full campaign.