Matty Young's failed Manchester City audition will be bittersweet for Sunderland supporters | OneFootball

Having shipped eight goals at the Etihad, Manchester City target Matty Young failed to show his potential infront of Guardiola and co.

Goalkeeping sensation Matty Young faced the first significant setback to his rapidly growing reputation last weekend, shipping an octet of goals versus potential suitors Manchester City at the Etihad.

On loan to Salford City from Sunderland, the 18-year-old had previously kept seven clean sheets in eight games for the League Two club, sparking reported interest from the reigning Premier League champions.

In what could well have proved an unofficial audition for Young under the watchful eye of Pep Guardiola, a disastrous afternoon for the Ammies saw a heavily rotated Manchester City ease to an 8-0 victory.

Despite a hapless performance, Young remains one of the country's top talents between the sticks, and while Sunderland supporters will be concerned by his performance on the big stage, it may have been the perfect scenario to dissuade the Citizens from snapping him up too soon.

A day to forget for Matty Young

Young's inclusion in the tie had been a topic of much debate leading up to Saturday's all-important late kick-off.

Despite performance levels forcing his way into consistent first team appearances, with the experience of 35-year-old Jamie Jones waiting in the wings, many were unsure whether Karl Robinson would entrust his temporary teenage talent in what was essentially the most high-profile fixture in the club's 85-year history.

Sure enough, Young was given the nod, starting in front of over 52,000 spectators at the Etihad, a fantastic opportunity to announce himself further to English football.

While no one expected Salford to get a result out of the fixture, the manor and scale of defeat was embarrassing for the club co-owned by the Class of 92.

Having conceded just one of his 20 shots on target faced in England's fourth-tier, Young conceded eight from ten against the Sky Blues, three more than his recorded xGC of 4.87.

To his credit, and none of the goals came from his errors per se, with fine finishing form and glaring mistakes from his back-line, particularly in the concession of two penalties, combining to create the perfect recipe for a thumping.

Even so, Young will no doubt be disappointed in what was a wasted opportunity to put his abundant talent on the map,

Young's performance made for bittersweet watching for the Black Cats

As should be obvious, one bad game by no means defines the future career of an 18-year-old goalkeeper, and his very involvement in the professional game at this age dictates he could be a generational talent, but it did suggest that he is still an incredibly long way off of the levels that will be expected upon him if he is to one day take the number one spot on Wearside.

For many Mackems, this terrestrially available fixture was likely the first opportunity they have had to see their highly-touted talent in action, though his uninspiring performance bears both good and bad news to those worried of his untimely departure.

The positive is that Manchester City, having seen his unreadiness first hand, have likely realised this fact more than anyone, staving off the previously held interest for the time being.

Due to return to the Academy of Light in the summer, Young will be keeping tabs on the developing Anthony Patterson situation, who is purportedly receiving repeated interest from Manchester United.

In a recent interview with the club, Young spoke highly regarding his desire to play for his boyhood club.

In a position that is famously difficult to achieve notoriety in at a young age, what Young is doing should rightfully turn heads. There is absolutely no shame in being outclassed by Pep Guardiola's City side, and if his progression continues thus, he'll have plenty more opportunities to get his Etihad clean sheet down the line, especially if Sunderland's promotion chase comes into fruition this term.