Man City’s Youth Stars Shine: Dan Batty’s Heroics Seal FA Youth Cup Victory
One week, it’s Reigan Heskey. The next, Divine Mukasa. Often, it’s Matty Warhurst.
But when these usual stars aren’t delivering for Manchester City’s youth team, the squad’s depth always steps up. Last week, Ryan McAidoo calmed nerves with a quickfire hat-trick off the bench in the UEFA Youth League. This week, it was Dan Batty who stole the spotlight, firing City into the next round of the FA Youth Cup.
In a game where Storm Darragh disrupted any hopes of a free-flowing contest, Batty’s decisive goal came from a brilliant combination of skill: a drop of the shoulder, neat footwork, and a composed finish that broke the deadlock in a tight contest.
“It was a bit cold watching from the bench. I’m thinking, obviously, I want to come on and do what I can,” Batty told MEN Sport. “I wanted to impact the game as much as possible. Help our team by trying to score but also doing the defensive work. It’s a really good feeling.”
Normally, an under-18 coach might give a final pep talk before subbing in a player, but Oliver Reiss, City’s U18 head coach, trusted Batty’s instincts.
“Everyone knows his quality; we know his quality,” said Reiss. “We tried to have him in the pocket, dangerous to the goal. Together with Dante [Headley] on the right side, we wanted deep runs and one-v-ones. The creativity of the players was the solution at the end. Well done, especially the goal—a good combination on the right between three players.”
Batty, who has three goals this season for the under-18s, is a versatile player who can operate both centrally and out wide. He’s a prime example of a homegrown talent, having risen through City’s ranks after joining as a child.
With his sharp playing style, fast decision-making, and defensive commitment, Batty draws inspiration from a familiar face in City’s senior squad.
“I like watching Bernardo Silva. Obviously, at City, he’s one of the best players, similar to me,” Batty said. “I try to get goals and assists, impact the game as much as possible. I’ve been here for ten years now—it’s a good feeling to still be here as an 18-year-old.”
As for his future, Batty is keeping an open mind. “It can be a good pathway to the first team. Even if my pathway isn’t here at City, anywhere I go it will be good to play football [with this education].”
With youth talent like Batty, City’s future looks just as promising as their present.
