Man City could target 'next Jordan Pickford' as next stage of Pep Guardiola rebuild

Salford City’s on loan teenage sensation Matty Young has been in fantastic form since his summer arrival, sparking interest from Manchester City in recent weeks

Young appears to be the next elite goalkeeper to emerge from Sunderland’s academy programme. The highly rated teenager joined Salford City on loan from the Black Cats in July 2024, and since his debut on August 13 in the EFL Cup against Doncaster Rovers he’s gone from strength to strength.

It must be said: If City are interested, it will come with a hefty price tag, taking a lot to pry him from his boyhood club in spite of them putting eight goals past him in the FA Cup third round thrashing.

Young just signed a new long-term contract with Sunderland until 2028 and explained to their website: "I have been with the club for over a decade. I have supported Sunderland AFC my whole life. The place means the world to me, as a player and as a supporter."

The 18-year-old joined Sunderland at the age of seven and after rising through the Academy of Light ranks, he made his debut at the senior level in a preseason friendly against New Mexico United in the summer of 2023.

His reputation quickly flew and following a brief stop off at Darlington for three months in National League North, Young moved to Gary Neville- owned Salford City on loan. Initially, the young keeper struggled to break into the side. However, the reputation he’d built around the Academy of Light was waiting to reveal itself and so it has.

Despite being a teenager, Young has been dazzling in League Two, starring for his side who are third in the table and pushing for promotion partly through his influence. Following on from an excellent first round FA Cup performance, he made his League Two debut on