Lee Carsley’s City travel to Reading on Thursday night in their first match of this season’s edition of the prestigious tournament.
Having been runners-up to Chelsea in the last two seasons, Sancho believes this year’s crop can go one stage further – starting at the Madejski Stadium.
The 16-year-old said: “There’s going to be a lot of pressure. Manchester City are used to reaching the semi-finals and final of the Youth Cup and we want to go even further than that this year.
“The club want us to win the tournament and they see it as very important for the academy. We have to show in every game that we play what we have been working on and that our attitude is right. Individuals can’t do it themselves so we will have to come together as a team.
“Playing in a big stadium will be a big experience too because it’s closer to the real thing. That brings more pressure too.”
City’s U18s are unbeaten and top of the north section of the Premier League without the likes of Brahim Diaz and Lukas Nmecha featuring regularly in the side.
That is likely to be different in this competition, as Carsley gives as many players as possible the chance to lift the trophy.
Sancho said: “We’ve played and trained with the older players many other times and they’re happy to be part of the team. They know the current Premier League team is unbeaten so we are at a good level and it’s a chance for them to pass on some more experience to us.”
Reading are second in the South section of the Premier League and in excellent form but England youth winger Sancho is adamant City are ready to face the Royals.
“I’ve played with a few Reading players and they’ve got a lot of quality so it will be difficult. If we play to our best though we will have the advantage,” said Sancho.
There will be full coverage of Reading v Manchester City in the FA Youth Cup on mancity.com and @ManCityAcademy.
