Some talented City youngsters got their first taste of the big time last week.

The club's Under 8 squad visited the Carrington training ground and the lads were thrilled to meet Roberto Mancini and their heroes after watching the Manager put the senior squad through their paces.

30 players have now made it into the City first team having started out at the Club's Platt Lane Academy, with one of the most recent graduates, Abdi Ibrahim, making a 15-minute appearance against Liverpool yesterday.

Sadly the Under 18 side came back down to earth after their recent trophy-winning exploits in Abu Dhabi at the weekend, losing 2-1 to Liverpool with their goal coming from Ahmad Benali.