James McAtee sends promising message to Sheffield United supporters after arriving from Man City
Sheffield United new boy James McAtee believes he is ready for the challenge posed by the Championship after his season-long loan deal from Manchester City was confirmed this morning.
McAtee, regarded as one of the most promising youngsters in the English game, met with Paul Heckingbottom last week to discuss the move, with the Blades boss revealing that United were the only second-tier side McAtee wanted to discuss a move to – quashing speculation that Huddersfield Town were close to hijacking the move.
McAtee will link up with his City teammate Tommy Doyle at Bramall Lane and faces the tough challenge of replacing Morgan Gibbs-White’s creativity from last season.
But he said: “I'm looking forward to the challenge. I've been building up to a loan for a few years now and I think I'm ready.
"Paul was a lovely guy to meet, he showed me around and made me feel welcome.
“He was telling me about how he sees me playing and that's how I see it too.
“The way Sheffield United play suits me and hopefully I can help with creative options.
“Manchester City are obviously happy with the club, they want me to get some game time and experience."
McAtee could be involved in a United squad for the first time this weekend, when United host Millwall at Bramall Lane.
"As soon as he became available for loan, his agents did a really good job, presented the clubs who were interested,” Heckingbottom said.
“And I believe we were the only one in the Championship who he wanted to speak to, among interest from the Premier League and abroad.”