Manchester City completed the signing of Ryan McAidoo from Chelsea in August 2024. The young winger arrived at the Etihad as a highly touted prospect with the potential to develop into a special player. Since arriving at City, McAidoo has shown his tremendous ability in Manchester City’s academy system. He has also spent time training with Pep Guardiola’s squad this season. McAidoo had also been an unused substitute on occasion recently. Yesterday saw McAidoo make his first-team debut for Manchester City in their 10-1 win over Exeter City in the third round of the FA Cup at the Etihad Stadium. By the final whistle, McAidoo had shown enough throughout the match to indicate that City has unearthed another gem.
Ryan McAidoo sparkled for Manchester City in his first team debut against Exeter City.
Young winger Ryan McAidoo started on the right wing for Manchester City against Exeter City. He made an immediate impression as one dazzling run down the right early in the match caught the eye and showed the talent McAidoo possesses. He is a speedy winger who is small in stature. But he has elite dribbling ability, and despite his frame, he is extremely strong on the ball. McAidoo is also very good with his passing, and his confidence when in possession stood out yesterday. He wasn’t overawed making his first-team debut, and that was apparent throughout the first half of yesterday’s match. McAidoo grew into the game as it wore on yesterday, which was very impressive for a seventeen-year-old.
Ryan Mcaidoo vs Exeter pic.twitter.com/H2l1O3uMJG
— OB🇳🇬 (@ofbmar) January 10, 2026
McAidoo linked up well with his more experienced teammates. He featured in some superb interplay with Rico Lewis, Rayan Cherki and others. It is clear that McAidoo has grasped the concepts of playing at Manchester City. His education in the City academy set him up well for his first team debut.
The crowning moment of Ryan McAidoo’s performance came in the 86th minute of Manchester City’s 10-1 win. McAidoo scored his first goal for the club with a superb finish. He received the ball from Divine Mukasa and curled an unstoppable curling effort past hapless Exeter City keeper Joe Whitworth. It was a special moment and one that he shared with his family when he celebrated his goal.
Manchester City unearthed another gem against Exeter City
Ryan McAidoo could become a special player as he develops.
Manchester City’s young winger Ryan McAidoo has all the makings of a special player. He is quick, superb in possession, and a very direct player. The talent and potential are there for him to become anything. He is only seventeen, so it may be some time before he breaks into the City first team setup with more regularity. But he showed yesterday that he can make an impression, and that was exciting to see. Ryan McAidoo isn’t out of place amongst the City first team. That is a huge feather in the cap of a seventeen-year-old, and if he continues to grow and develop at Manchester City, he could become an extremely special player in time.