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Man City midfielder James McAtee has rejoined Sheffield United on loan.
The 20-year-old had Nottingham Forest, Leicester City and Feyenoord all offering to take him on loan but after the season he had helping the Blades earn promotion he felt an emotional pull back to Bramall Lane.
McAtee found it difficult to turn to down former City coach Enzo Maresca in particular especially with the size of the club and style of Leicester’s play but the lure of playing in the Premier League regularly under Paul Heckingbottom, a manger he knows well, has proved too great to resist.
‘It has been very last-minute, I’ve kept my head down, trained hard at City and waited to see what was happening. I think the emotional connection with the club and the opportunity to play in the Premier League were big factors in me coming back.
Manchester City midfielder James McAtee has elected to rejoin Sheffield United on loan
McAtee is eager to play under Paul Heckingbottom again following last season’s success
‘I got a warm welcome last week when I came back with City – thanks to all the fans for that – and it was a great game. I had mixed emotions, it was a special atmosphere, I was telling my mates about the Greasy Chip Butty song.’
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Sheffield United boss Heckingbottom says that McAtee will offer his team ‘something different’.
He said: ‘Everyone knows the respect I have for Macca, both as a person and a footballer – and that goes for the staff and the squad who played with him last season, he was a big part of our promotion campaign.
‘He offers us something different on the pitch, he’s a quality footballer and will fit in immediately. Hopefully, he and we can enjoy this Premier League journey.’
Last season McAtee made 42 appearances on loan at Sheffield United and scored nine goals.
The youngster has made seven senior appearances for City, three of which have come in the Premier League.
He has been named in the latest England Under-21 squad.
McAtee has made seven senior appearances for City, including three in the Premier League
