Getting to know. . . Tyler Reid

25th October

As part of our Swans Academy content, we speak to an upcoming talent within the youth ranks at the club.
Next in our in-depth interview is under-23s defender Tyler Reid, who discusses Sir Alex Ferguson, Nicky Butt and growing up with England starlet Marcus Rashford.

Tyler Reid grew up at Manchester United alongside Marcus Rashford.
Having said goodbye to his mate this summer, the defender is hoping to follow Rashford's lead by getting a big break in the Premier League.
But unlike Rashford - the rising star of Old Trafford - Reid has left United in a bid to land his chance at Swansea City.
If and when the opportunity to play first-team football for the Swans comes, Reid will remember the words of Rashford after he burst on to the scene in Manchester last season.



"I grew up and played with Marcus - our birthdays are days apart," Reid says.
"He is a very good player. You always knew he was going to be, but he is a great example of what young players can do if given a chance.
"I am pleased to see how well he is doing because he deserves it. It is not a fluke, he has worked hard to get where he is.
"Of course, you have to have a bit of luck. Talent is a big part of it, but unless you are spotted at the right moment or given a chance in football, you might not get to show what you can do.
"Once you get that bit of luck you have to take your opportunity and Marcus is someone who has done that in the past year.
"He was mentally prepared for the moment when his time came. He even told me afterwards - when your opportunity comes, make sure you show what you are about and take it.
"That's what drives me this season, I know my chance with the first team might not be next week or next month, but I am training and playing every game to be ready for it."



Reid is trying to establish himself at a new club having joined the Swans from United during the close season.
These are still early days, but the 19-year-old is happy with the progress he has made to date.
"I think I've done well so far this season," he says. "I've started most of the games for the Under-23s and it is great to get so many minutes under my belt already.
"The whole reason I came to Swansea City was to get game-time and so far the club has given me the opportunity, which I am thrilled with.
"As a team we have settled into the season really well and got some good results.
"The season will only get tougher, but so far the level is what I have been expecting and I feel settled."



Despite still being a teenager, Reid already has the names of four clubs stamped on his CV.
After starting out with hometown side Luton, Reid was spotted by Arsenal and joined the Gunners' Academy.
In 2012, aged 14, Reid took a bigger step away from home to join United, the side he supported as a youngster.
"It all happened so fast but that move definitely helped mature me as a person," he says. "I supported United growing up, so I was thrilled to have signed with them.
"Unfortunately for me it was the same weekend Sergio Aguero scored that winner to hand City the title, so it wasn't quite perfect!
"But I was there at an interesting time - two seasons while Sir Alex was in charge before David Moyes and finally Louis Van Gaal.
"It was the best when Sir Alex was there, he would come to our games and take the time to chat to a lot of players. He always pulled players to one side, told them areas they could improve and what they could do differently.
"That is what made him the best manager, because he cared about young players who were developing in the game. It was a pleasure to have played football at United while he was in charge."



Reid went through United's academy scholarship programme and worked under the guidance of United legend Nicky Butt, whose advice convinced him that a move away was right in the summer.
"I liked working with Nicky," he adds. "He does not beat around the bush and he would always tell it how it was - whether you had a good or bad game, where you could improve on stuff and where you were physically and mentally.
"It was because of his directness that I knew I needed to leave United to further my career.
"I did not get much game-time for the United under-23s last season, but I was in and around the team that won the title.
"Because of that I still felt part of it and my time with them has inspired me to push on to help the Swans challenge for the Premier League 2 title this season."