Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Alex Brotherton

'Starter next season?' - Man City fans react as youngsters thrive on loan

Manchester City duo James McAtee and Tommy Doyle both scored for Sheffield United on Boxing Day, the latest evidence that the two youngsters are benefiting from their loan spells.

McAtee, 20, and Doyle, 21, both joined the Championship side over the summer but initially struggled to have much of an impact. Doyle enjoyed a decent loan spell at Cardiff City last season so had experience at Championship level, but there were concerns that McAtee - who signed a new long-term contract at City earlier this year - would struggle to adapt to the physicality of the division.

However, in the weeks just before the World Cup both appeared to be finding their feet, and when Sheffield United took on Coventry City on Boxing Day they showed just why City rate them so highly.

READ MORE: Riyad Mahrez explains what Man City must do on Premier League return vs Leeds

McAtee opened the scoring ten minutes before half-time when he calmly finished off a counter-attack. Doyle later put the hosts three goals up, converting a cross with his first touch after coming off the bench. The 3-1 win put the Blades level with Burnley at the top of the Championship table, albeit having played one game more.

The role the two youngsters played delighted the locals at Bramall Lane, but perhaps not as much as City fans eager to see both succeed at City when they return to the club.

Here's what City fans on Twitter made of McAtee's and Doyle's exploits.

@PlayfulTipz: This James McAtee loan is turning out to be a success.

@JuneAsh8: Starter soon next season?

@kassW1998: James Silva!

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.