'Pep also loves golf and wanted to know what my handicap was'

Making your senior debut at Wembley after being sent on as a substitute by Pep Guardiola, arguably the best coach in world football, must be a big test of nerve.

Yet that was Ben Knight's experience in the 74th minute of the Community Shield game between Manchester City and Leicester City in 2021.

Establishing yourself at the Etihad, though, is a difficult task when you are a forward surrounded by the likes of Erling Haaland and other big names.

That is why Knight is now devoting his energies to a promotion challenge with Cambridge United after an unfulfilling spell in Spain.

And the move back to the city where he was born has paid off for the 23-year-old, named the the EFL League Two player of the month for January.

"I learnt a lot when I was at City - it's a completely different world to anything most footballers experience," he told BBC Look East.

"People think it's a bit easier being in the lower leagues. But when you've come through an academy, even the best academy in the world, you're not accustomed to how hard men's football actually is."

During his time with City, Knight never featured in the first team again after his Wembley appearance, but did play in 10 EFL Trophy matches for the under-21s.

He does not have any regrets about the time he spent rubbing shoulders with, and tying his boot laces alongside, some of the game's elite.

"It was difficult [to leave], to go from a world that's hard to imagine unless you're in it," he said.

"You walk into the changing room and people like [Kevin] De Bruyne are there, superstars. Even little things like the food you eat and the transport – you will get a flight to an FA Youth Cup game. Academies don't have that unless you're at the top."

And what of the main man himself? What was it like to work under Guardiola?

"He's a really nice guy, probably the best coach ever and for me to be able to work with him is something I'll always remember," said Knight.

"I'm proud to say that I made my debut for Man City which is something that not many people can say and especially being at Wembley. I'm just really grateful I was able to do that.

"He's quite an intense guy and wants perfection, or to get as close to it as you can be. If you're not in the right position, he'll let you know, but if you are, he'll also let you know. I think there's a fine balance [he has], being demanding but then also praising [players] and doing the right thing."

Knight added: "He also loves his golf and wanted to know what my handicap was. I wouldn't say we had a close relationship because I wasn't with him all the time, but when we spoke we got on really well."

When he's not playing for Cambridge, Knight can often be found relaxing on the golf course - but if he wants advice about dealing with sport's fluctuating fortunes, he only needs to phone his uncle Nick, who played cricket for Essex, Warwickshire and England, and is now a TV pundit.

He said: "I loved cricket when I was young and wanted to be a cricketer because of him. We've got sporty genes, I love my golf and my brother's a really good golfer, my grandad played hockey for England. My cousins as well, uncle Nick's daughter and son are amazing tennis players.

"I don't know if it was destined to be, but there's talent and then how you use your talent. You can have all the talent in the world but if you don't work hard or apply yourself properly, you don't get anywhere."

Knight's career took a downturn after leaving City when he joined Spanish third division side Real Murcia and only played four games as a substitute in six months.

"I had a conversation with him (Nick Knight) when I was in Spain and I wasn't getting in the squad and he said 'what are you going to do about it?'. I said 'I'm going to work hard' and he replied 'it's all good saying it but you've got to go and do it'.

"When he was playing for England and there were people ahead of him he'd always go in the gym and do two more reps every time because it all adds up. I took that and do that in the gym now if I need to do 10 reps, I always do 12."

He added: "It's all about resilience and how bad do you want it? Having people like that in the family is amazing. When I speak to him I listen because I know what he's saying is right."

Having joined Cambridge on a one-year deal, Knight recently signed a new contract to run until 2028 and has scored six goals in 30 appearances this season.

A run of 14 games without defeat under January's manager of the month Neil Harris came to an end at Harrogate last Saturday, but the U's bounced back strongly with a 3-0 midweek win against Crawley.

They are fourth in the table as they look to make an immediate return to League One after last season's relegation.

"It was a blip against Harrogate, we were obviously expected to win and were confident we were going to do it but sometimes that's just how football is," Knight said.

"Building together as a team takes a little bit of time. We always knew we'd got good players and a really good manager and I feel like it all clicked on New Year's Day and we went on that really long unbeaten run.

"I love it at Cambridge, and I've won player of the month – all these things are really exciting, but the main goal is for us to get promoted. There's still a few months left and we've got to keep going."