Manchester City winger James McAtee was handed a rare start in Saturday’s 0-0 Premier League draw at Southampton.
The 22-year-old had only started eight games for Manchester City in all competitions prior to the trip to St Mary’s Stadium.
However, Pep Guardiola was keen to see what McAtee could do in a game that, on paper at least, was relatively straightforward.
Except it wasn’t straightforward, as City ended up playing out a stalemate that has dealt them a blow in their pursuit of Champions League qualification.
Plenty of City fans had something to say about McAtee’s display against the Premier League’s bottom side.
READ MORE: Man City fans say Pep Guardiola made a mistake with their ‘best player’ vs Southampton
Manchester City fans don’t feel James McAtee is at the required level for the club
Needless to say, City fans were not impressed with James McAtee, suggesting he hasn’t got what it takes to thrive at the level required.
“Honestly why do we keep persisting with McAtee,” one fan wrote on X.
“Every time he starts he looks completely out of his depth. Besides his value is only going to drop with performances like that.”
Another fan said: “Get McAtee and ship him for any price Leverkusen wants. Guy is clueless against SOUTHAMPTON.”
The criticism of McAtee kept coming, with one fan saying: “Another game where it’s very easy to forget that McAtee is on the pitch.”
Another criticised Phil Foden along with McAtee, saying: “We have Grealish, Savio, Marmoush and Doku on the bench but we’re watching Foden and McAtee pass the ball backwards every time they have it.”
Another fan said: “McAtee’s a passenger. 0 outstanding qualities minus box crashing.
“Foden’s forgotten how to play football, what is Bernardo’s use in this match?
“Why are you trying to control THE WORST TEAM IN PREMIER LEAGUE HISTORY? I am baffled.”
READ MORE: Liam Delap says Manchester City have a defender who’s been truly ‘incredible’
Could Manchester City sell James McAtee this summer?
City rejected offers from Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig, Stuttgart and Mainz for McAtee in January, as per transfer insider Graeme Bailey.
All four Bundesliga clubs made permanent offers for the 22-year-old which were around the £30million mark, but City weren’t ready to do business.
Nottingham Forest are now ready to make a move for McAtee, while Tottenham are also interested in the City academy graduate, according to MCN sources.
Sadly, if Guardiola meant to put McAtee in the shop window by starting him against Southampton, then this would have backfired, because he didn’t do well.
