Nico O’Reilly sets down silverware challenge for Manchester City despite Pep Guardiola comments | OneFootball

Manchester City match-winner Nico O’Reilly is keen to finish a disappointing season on a high by winning the FA Cup after scoring twice against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.

The 19-year-old headed home for his boyhood club either side of half-time to overturn a one-goal deficit before Kevin De Bruyne added a late third as the Blues booked their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Nico O’Reilly was one of four Manchester City academy graduates to start against Argyle, alongside Rico Lewis, James McAtee and Phil Foden, and while the latter is yet to hit heights from the previous campaign, the younger contingent more than justified their selection.

O’Reilly has impressed in flashes when given the chance by Guardiola in midfield this season, using his physique and game intelligence to hold off challenges, while providing a spark that has left seasoned midfielders who have been fundamental over a nine-year spell.

However, the City Football Academy graduate was thrown in at left-back once again by the Manchester City boss, and as has been the case with many of the club’s academy stars this season, Nico O’Reilly did not disappoint.

In his post-match interview with television broadcasters, the Manchester-born midfielder said of his performance against the Championship side, “Two goals from left-back, I wasn’t really expecting it. But yeah, I’m glad!”

Nico O’Reilly also congratulated Argyle on an incredible FA Cup run that has seen them get the better of Premier League duo Brentford and Liverpool en route to the fifth round, where they were the better team for much of the first-half against City and even took an early lead.

And while Pep Guardiola has admitted that winning the FA Cup would not make up for City’s shortcomings domestically and in Europe this season, Nico O’Reilly is looking to go all the way in English football’s premier cup competition.

“We want to win it,” the Englishman added.

After staying put with the first-team despite talk of a January loan, O’Reilly has featured heavily in City’s matchday squad since the start of the season and the youngster could well stake a claim to play a more regular role in midfield next season.