IT'S BEEN MAD FOR MAX

Alleyne caps a ‘crazy week by scoring first City goal in thrashing

- BY SIMON BAJKOWSKI

MAX ALLEYNE was in Watford on Monday getting ready for a trip to Bristol City in the FA Cup.

By Saturday night he was reflecting on his first two starts for Manchester City in a ‘crazy’ week that has seen him swap a Championship promotion battle for fighting for the biggest trophies in club football.

The 20-year-old was seen inside the club last year as one of the best defenders in Europe for his age and he has been one of the few City youngsters to thrive on loan this season.

Playing for Watford gave him defensive challenges that he hadn't experienced before, and he rose to them in a team that have climbed to sixth in the Championship, despite a change in manager. City have four other centre-backs on loan this season, including a treble winner in Manu Akanji and a £29.4 million signing in Vitor Reis.

Yet when scans confirmed a broken leg for Josko Gvardiol and a hamstring injury for Ruben Dias, it was Vicarage Road that the Blues turned to.

Alleyne was shuttled back to Manchester by Monday night, started on Wednesday in the 1-1 Premier League draw with Brighton after one training session he scored his first City in the FA Cup on Saturday - the first of City’s 10 - in a gamble that has paid early dividends.