James McAtee’s parents missed out on Manchester City breakthrough moment as they attended Bolton Wanderers fixture | OneFootball

The ultimate breakthrough for James McAtee at Manchester City in UEFA Champions League action this week was missed by his parents in favour of Football League action.

The 21-year-old has returned to Pep Guardiola’s first-team set-up following successive loan spells at Sheffield United in both the Championship and Premier League, before the last campaign saw the club succumb to immediate relegation from the top-flight.

Having put his trust in Pep Guardiola faith to retain the player for the ongoing season, McAtee has had to be more patient when it comes to receiving first-team opportunities, but the last few weeks have showcased the ultimate rewards.

Following a vital role in Manchester City’s opening goal in the Carabao Cup third round tie against Watford last week, James McAtee followed up his offensive contributions with a first goal for the senior side at the Etihad Stadium.

Striking in UEFA Champions League action, the City academy graduate put the icing on an already sweet cake in Slovakia, scoring Pep Guardiola’s side’s fourth of the contest and adding to goals from Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden, and Erling Haaland earlier in the game.

Speaking to reporters after the 0-4 win in Bratislava, James McAtee revealed the memorable moment in his career was unfortunately missed in the stadium by his parents, as they attended his brother’s outing in Northampton for Bolton Wanderers.

“It’s a long way to come for my family,” McAtee admitted. “I think they went to go and watch my brother (in Bolton’s 2-4 win away to Northampton). I can’t explain the night but I’m over the moon. I’ve dreamt of this.”

Reflecting on his season so far and new experiences working with Pep Guardiola’s first-team, the 21-year-old said, “I definitely think I’m sharper. When I’m going out there now it’s not as chaotic.

“For example, Watford (in the Carabao Cup) I hadn’t played for a while and it was a bit chaotic at the start. But with Slovan (Bratislava in the Champions League) I felt a lot calmer and more composed.

“It’s one of the hardest things to do, to not play and come straight onto a pitch,” he continued. “But I have to keep on doing what I’m doing, keep my head down and keep up with the lads as much as I can.”

It remains to be seen just how much more game time James McAtee will endure for Manchester City in more prominent competitive fixtures for the club this season, but one outing that is already being eyed up by the player is the next round of the Carabao Cup.

City’s rewards for their 2-1 win over Watford in the third round last week is a fourth round meeting with Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur in North London, and following Pep Guardiola’s confirmation that he will continue to rotate his side, McAtee can be excited.