Who is Max Alleyne? Man City centre-back on bench in Club World Cup

Every year, Manchester City's academy coaches and decision-makers meet to decide who will be included in each squad, who could leave on loan, and how to get the best out of each player's development.

Last year, it was decided that Max Alleyne, 18, would remain in the under-18s to get some regular football under his belt after joining from Southampton's academy in 2021. The decision saw him play all but three U18 Premier League fixtures as City won that national title for the third year running, and also reached the FA Youth Cup semi-final.

With that experience, Alleyne has stepped up to the Elite Development Squad to become a mainstay in defence, and could get a senior debut in the Club World Cup of all places, a week after being included on the bench against Red Star in the Champions League.

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The young Bristolian, who has represented England up to under-19 level but is also eligible to represent Barbados, has admirers within City's first team set-up and has been called up to training on occasion this season. He had started every game for City at under-21 and under-19 level this season in the Premier League 2, EFL Trophy and UEFA Youth League, before his call-up to the first team.

Alleyne was part of the squad that beat Red Star last week, with five academy graduates ending the game on the pitch, and Alleyne an unused substitute. After the game, Pep Guardiola apologised to the defender for not making that six youngsters on the pitch, admitting that the game wasn't right to bring him on, however much he wanted to.

Guardiola said: "It's not easy to give