Does Manchester City already possess the winger they need? | OneFootball

Ryan McAidoo has established himself as a player to watch for the future during his time at Manchester City. McAidoo made his first two appearances for the City first team last season in Manchester City’s FA Cup third and fourth round ties against Exeter City and Salford. The young winger also scored his first goal against Exeter City as City beat the League One side 10-1 as McAidoo’s late goal capped off a superb display from the young winger. Also, Ryan McAidoo’s performances in City’s youth sides have strongly earmarked him as a player for the future for the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders.

Manchester City are in the market for a winger this summer but do they already have the winger they need in McAidoo? Ryan McAidoo looks to be ready to take the next step in his young career. But is he ready for a role in City’s first team? Perhaps he is. McAidoo looks to have all of the raw ability to quickly take the next step in his career in an elite environment and he should get an opportunity to make his mark during Manchester City’s preseason.

Ryan McAidoo has the makings of a Manchester City player.

As a player, Ryan McAidoo has all of the necessary traits needed to become an elite winger. McAidoo is a superb dribbler who is more than capable of beating a man and tearing apart an opponent’s defence. Couple McAidoo’s dribbling ability with his quickness, pace and directness and he’s a dynamic winger. This has stood out throughout McAidoo’s time in Manchester City’s academy system and in his two appearances for the Manchester City first team. McAidoo’s ability to get himself into dangerous positions in the final third and carry a pronounced threat going forward makes him a tantalizing prospect. However, that is only part of the equation.

Ryan McAidoo does have an eye for goal and an assist. However, as a young player both of these aspects of McAidoo’s game do need to improve. They no doubt will in time but what is clear is that McAidoo has all of the raw tools in his game to one day develop into a Manchester City player. Also, McAidoo’s apprenticeship in Manchester City’s academy sees him well versed in how City play both in and out of possession.

All told, Ryan McAidoo has the necessary attributes to be a Manchester City first team member. When he will make that step however, isn’t immediately clear.

The question seems to be whether Ryan McAidoo is ready for a role in the first team right now.

As good a prospect as Ryan McAidoo is he is only 17 years of age. He is an elite young player with the potential to develop into a special player. What seems certain is that McAidoo is ready to play at a higher level than Manchester City’s Elite Development Side. The question is whether McAidoo is ready for a role in the City first team or is a loan move next on the agenda for the talented young winger?

For example, Divine Mukasa spent the second half of the 2025-26 season out on loan with Leicester City. Mukasa is another young player with a bright future much like Ryan McAidoo. You could mount an argument that Mukasa was further advanced in his development than McAidoo when he went out on loan last season. Maybe a loan move is the next step in McAidoo’s development to follow a similar path to Divine Mukasa.

Final thoughts.

As good as Ryan McAidoo is, it must be remembered that he has only made two appearances for the Manchester City first team. It may be too big a jump for him to land straight into the City first team and play a regular role for the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders. However, City do need a winger this summer so maybe instead of spending big money on one, they could look to give Ryan McAidoo an opportunity during the preseason and see what he can produce to give an indication of whether or not he is ready for a first team role at Manchester City.