Man City youngster James McAtee feels loan at Sheffield United moulded him into a man… with Pep Guardiola keen to include him in his squad for the upcoming season
- McAtee won automatic promotion with Sheffield United on loan last season
- The youngster scored in Man City’s friendly victory against Bayern Munich
- McAtee believes his time at Bramall Lane has helped mould him into a man
James McAtee believes his time on loan at Sheffield United moulded him into a man but is relishing the opportunity of a lifetime back at Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola is believed to be keen for McAtee to be including in his squad for the upcoming season and the midfielder scored City’s first goal during a 2-1 win over Bayern Munich in Tokyo this week.
McAtee, who won automatic promotion to the Premier League with the Blades, insisted that he has much to prove with the Treble winners though and maintained he is still not 100 per cent on the club’s plans for him.
‘Some of the lads have said the loan turned me into a man,’ McAtee said. ‘It’s what some young players need. Some don’t, but some benefit to get a taste of men’s football.
‘I’m grateful to Sheffield United for giving me my chance but this is my childhood dream to play for Manchester City. That’s the goal. We’ll see.
James McAtee had a successful loan spell at Sheffield United from Man City last season
McAtee scored in Man City’s pre-season friendly win over Bayern Munich in Tokyo this week
Pep Guardiola is believed to be keen to include McAtee in his squad for the upcoming season
‘I think that’s the plan [to stay] but I’m not too sure. I’ll have to wait until we get back home. I’ve not really had talks with the manager. He’s been busy with a lot of things.
‘They’ve been busy celebrating the Treble which I’m over the moon for them about. He just said to get your head down and work hard in pre-season.’
The academy graduate, who missed England Under 21s’ triumphant European Championship campaign through injury, has set himself a high bar to impress Guardiola.
McAtee though is not sure what Man City’s plans are for him during the 2023-24 campaign
He has another chance when they face Atletico Madrid in Seoul on Sunday before City fly back home ahead of the Community Shield.
‘I just want to get my rhythm back now and try to affect the games a bit more,’ he added.
‘I scored the goal the other night but it was just a tap-in at the end of the day. I want to be there creating chances, assisting my team-mates. It’s obviously difficult, they’ve got the best players in the world: Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne. I just need to keep my head down and try my best.’
