Yaya Toure was still basking in the glory of defeating an 'unbeatable' Manchester United in the Champions League final when one of his toughest opponents flashed up on his TV.
12.05.2023 - 14:47 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Paul Heckingbottom says that Sheffield United had to work with Manchester City youngster James McAtee on the defensive side of his game to complement the talent he has at his disposal in the final third.
The 20-year-old City prospect has just spent the season out on loan in the Championship with the Blades at Bramall Lane. It was a successful campaign for McAtee on an individual and collective level, as Sheffield United claimed automatic promotion as runners-up behind champions Burnley back to the Premier League.
McAtee, who has played six times for City's first team, spent the first season of his career away from the Etihad Stadium, where he has come through the youth team ranks. He ended the campaign with nine goals in 43 games across all competitions for the Blades.
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The midfielder is now poised to return to City, where his contract runs until the summer of 2026. Blades boss Heckingbottom reflected on McAtee's time at the club as he embarks on building a squad capable of competing in the Premier League next season and revealed the Sheffield side worked with the City prospect's defensive side of his game to complement his abilities to win a game in the final third.
"With James McAtee we knew we were signing a talent and someone we knew could create in the final third, but he didn't have the knowledge or the whereabouts to be good defensively for us, so we had to work with him," the Blades boss told YorkshireLive.
"Those are the things we are going to have to look for. It's easier to get a talented match-winner to do the bits without the ball than it is for someone who is dogged and determined and you
Yaya Toure was still basking in the glory of defeating an 'unbeatable' Manchester United in the Champions League final when one of his toughest opponents flashed up on his TV.
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