Sheffield United and Man City stars give their verdict on Bramall Lane's talent pool

After impressing during United’s last two outings before the international break, both on-loan midfielders are expected to start Saturday’s visit to Norwich City - where Heckingbottom’s men will attempt to strengthen their grip on an automatic promotion spot.

Second in the Championship table and three points ahead of third-placed Middlesbrough, the assignment in East Anglia is one of nine remaining on United’s league schedule as they look to fend-off the challenge from Michael Carrick’s side.

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But in a message which will serve to encourage the rest of his players, as well as the young duo he borrowed from the Etihad Stadium last summer, Heckingbottom said: “I think, in fact I know, that both Macca and Tommy were really taken by the standards the lads have got here and how good they are. Coming from where they do, I think that’s something they should be proud of. It's also a reminder of how good this division is and so, because of that, how hard all of the boys have worked to get themselves into this position.”

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After helping United overcome Sunderland on Wearside, McAtee and Doyle followed up those displays when Blackburn Rovers travelled to South Yorkshire in the FA Cup quarter-finals. That victory, sealed by Doyle’s late strike, set up a meeting with Pep Guardiola’s side at Wembley; meaning neither will be eligible for selection in north London.

“We’re not even thinking about that yet,” said Heckingbottom, as United prepared to face opponents ranked seventh. “The league is the priority for us, as you’d expect and there’s still a lot of work to be done. We’ve achieved nothing yet. But I also know how good these lads can be, and that’s something we want to witness between now and the end. That’s got to be the aim from here on in. We know what we have to do.”

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