![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/man-city-ace-keating-reflects-on-journey-to-magical-debut-and-her-england-hope/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/crop-20268029.jpg&description=KHIARA KEATING has fond memories of her first senior Manchester City runout as one of the youngest goalkeepers to ever play for the club. However, the England Under-19 starlet could well have ended up as a striker had a trial at rivals Man United gone differently. Khiara Kheating hopes to help Manchester City win more silverwareCredit: Getty Keating joked about wanting to go home when she spotted a huge group of youngsters at her Red Devils trial when she was just six years old. But a few words of encouragement from her mum, Nicola, saw Keating pull on her brother's oversized gloves and show off her skills. And that determination put her on the path to becoming a rising star between the sticks at City. The Academy Stadium ace, 18, said: "I only turned into a goalkeeper at a Manchester United trial. "I got invited but when I turned up there and saw how many kids there were, I just said, 'I am not doing this'. "But then my mum said, 'I didn't drive all this way to just let you give up. Your brother's gloves are in the car'. 'So then I trialled with my brother's gloves on and got in.' That moment put Keating on a path that led to her making her first-team debut, aged just 17, for Gareth Taylor's side in January Growing up in Ardwick, one of Manchester's toughest areas, also gave her the drive and determination to succeed in the sport. It was there that the City ace's mother helped set up Sunday League team Ardwick FC, a side she joined before playing for Stockport-based junior boys outfit Reddish Vulcans. Keating, who has two older brothers and three younger sisters, added: "Mum just juggled everything. "She played a big part in the start of my career by creating that team because she saw a gap in the community. FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS "It was just quite special, and we formed bonds we still have today. "We still pop around to the club and say, 'Hi'. I also played for Reddish Vulcans when I was about four or five. "Just playing with boys){kind=link}
KHIARA KEATING has fond memories of her first senior Manchester City runout as one of the youngest goalkeepers to ever play for the club.
However, the England Under-19 starlet could well have ended up as a striker had a trial at rivals Man United gone differently.
Keating joked about wanting to go home when she spotted a huge group of youngsters at her Red Devils trial when she was just six years old.
But a few words of encouragement from her mum, Nicola, saw Keating pull on her brother’s oversized gloves and show off her skills.
And that determination put her on the path to becoming a rising star between the sticks at City.