James McAtee is predicted to do great things at his parent club Manchester City. McAtee made his loan move to United in the first week of August after Pep Guardiola eventually agreed to loan out the attacking midfielder.
Guardiola rates the teenager very highly and was at first reluctant to send McAtee out on loan, as he wanted the 19-year-old in and around the first team this season.
Since McAtee signed for the Blades, he has featured in 5 games in all competitions and made 3 starts. His first start in the Championship came at Bramall Lane against Sunderland where United claimed a 2-1 victory, in which McAtee’s performance was decent but steady.
His next start came at Kenilworth Road in United’s 1-1 draw with Luton Town, McAtee struggled to get to grips with the physicality of the game and as a result was subbed at half-time, and replaced by fellow City loanee, Tommy Doyle. It’s been his City teammate who’s started games since that point.
The Sheffield United manager, Paul Heckingbottom, has been vocal about the young City talent. He told Yorkshire Live:
“That was the best Luton had played this season, they were full throttle and made it really tough for us. It is an eye opener for him, but that is what this league can produce, you can’t underestimate anyone, no one is going to make it easy for you.”
Continued…
“No one is going to stand back and watch what a good player you are, they are just going to try and stop you. He will be better for it, definitely, while ever he is with us I think he knows the players and staff will back him and we will help him to get better, improve and learn from every opportunity he gets.”
There is no doubting James McAtee has talent, but right now this is a learning curve for the 19-year-old as he attempts to adjust to the physicality and pace of the Championship.
A period like this was to be expected, considering that this is the first time the attacking midfielder has tasted regular first-team football.