Former Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp has said that Manchester City loanee, James McAtee, may have to be patient to get a place in Pep Guardiola’s team.
After completing a loan spell with the Blades last season where he helped them win promotion back to the Premier League, the midfielder joined United again towards the end of the previous summer transfer window for another loan period.
With the 21-year-old now getting to grips with playing regularly in the top-flight, one former United figure has shared his thoughts on the midfielder and what the future could look like for him.
Sharp praises McAtee’s ability
Speaking in a recent episode of the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Sharp had this to say about McAtee and what he was like at the start of his previous loan spell at the Yorkshire club.
He said: “Breath of fresh air. He came in, he struggled a little bit in the first few games off the ball but on the ball, unbelievable talent. Give him the ball with someone tight up against him and he’ll find a way out.
“[Off the ball] that’s probably why he won’t get a chance at City right now because he’s got a lot to learn still but he’s got unbelievable talent and I think he went to Sheffield United because his heart took over his head.
“He’s a good player and like you say City have got unbelievable talent all over the pitch so he might have to wait a couple of years, just like Tommy Doyle who has gone to Wolves as well to progress his career.”
Last season saw McAtee make 43 appearances for the Blades across all competitions, 37 of which came in the Championship where he scored nine goals and provided three assists.
This makes it easy to see why the Yorkshire club were keen to bring the City youngster back to the club on another loan deal to help them get through this Premier League campaign.
Since he returned to Bramall Lane, the midfielder has started six of the eight league games he has featured in for Paul Heckingbottom’s side, supplying one assist which came during their 2-1 win over Wolves earlier this month.
With McAtee only managing to earn himself an overall performance rating of 6.29/10 from WhoScored for his league efforts in this campaign, this backs up Sharp’s point about the midfielder having room to improve his game and why he may have to wait for a while longer before he convinces Guardiola he has what it takes to be a regular figure in his City team.
