Nico O’Reilly: Man City player aiming to complete cup double

O’Reilly’s “incredible talent” was spotted at the age of six, according to Riley, who said he had a “great left leg”, “good manners” and “determination”.

Even at that young age, scouts from Manchester United, Liverpool, Everton and Blackburn Rovers were watching him in action for Moston Tigers and Failsworth Dynamos.

O’Reilly was first recommended to Riley by local scout Joe Yates, who would keep the family in touch with his progress.

Riley said: “It was so competitive in their younger days – it still is at the moment – because all the top clubs in the North West want the best boys, so it’s very difficult.

“That’s where you have to work hard with the parents and work as a team at the club. When he’s signed for the under-nines, you’re not done.

“You keep in touch with the parents, the recruiting team takes over, the physios get involved. It’s a massive job to bring these guys in but it’s all about teamwork.”

O’Reilly grew up in Collyhurst and lists Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho as players he “loved watching”, while his City idols include Kevin De Bruyne, Yaya Toure, David Silva and Sergio Aguero.

Asked about his early days in football, O’Reilly told BBC Sport: “(We played) everywhere – on the grass, in the street. We’d go to the little cage and play there.

“There were about 30 of us that would go out and play and have a good time. I was a good kid, I just liked to play sports. I liked to work outside.”