Ryan McAidoo is one of the more exciting prospects to come through the Manchester City academy system. The 18-year-old right winger caught the eye during City's preseason tour of Asia. His form earned him a promotion from Enzo Maresca to the City first team for the 2026-27 season alongside Floyd Samba and Kaden Braithwaite . So far this season, McAidoo has made two appearances off the bench against Crystal Palace and Coventry City . Tonight sees Manchester City kick off their Carabao Cup defence against Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium. Tonight does seem to be the ideal setting for McAidoo to play from the start.
Speaking yesterday, in his pre-game press conference ahead of his teams Carabao Cup third-round tie against Norwich City, Enzo Maresca said that Ryan McAidoo is the type of winger that he wants in his team. He praised McAidoo's ability to always take the game on and not play with fear. Maresca explained: " McAidoo, if you remember one of my first press conferences, I said he is the kind of winger I love – he's not scared, he always wants the ball, he is aggressive one v one. Sometimes you see a winger with the ball and they go back. Ryan receives the ball and goes forward. "
" I think the two games he played some minutes in the Premier League he was good and nothing changed with him. "
Ryan McAidoo has already impressed Enzo Maresca. His pace, trickery, and ability in one-on-one situations make him a player that Maresca can rely upon at times this season. McAidoo won't be a regular starter or contributor for Manchester City this season. He isn't quite yet ready for that responsibility. However, there will be chances for McAidoo to play this season. Tonight looms as one of those nights.
Enzo Maresca will need to rotate his squad today. Manchester City face a difficult Premier League fixture against Sunderland on Sunday. Maresca will not want to run his first team regulars into the ground. Tonight should see the City squad rotated. That should mean that Ryan McAidoo will be in line to start on the right wing. McAidoo is more than capable of making an impact against Norwich City.
Tonight could be the night where McAidoo, and others, are given the responsibility to start. In the case of McAidoo he is ready for that opportunity. Whether or not he is given the chance to start remains to be seen. What isn't in doubt is McAidoo has the talent to put in a strong performance from the start if Enzo Maresca decides to start the electrifying young winger.
