Manchester City midfielder makes pre-season prediction after Etihad return

Manchester City midfielder James McAtee has revealed his excitement at the prospect of playing a pre-season friendly against Barcelona.

The 2002-born midfielder is set to remain with the Manchester City first-team for the upcoming 2024/25 season, after McAtee spent the previous two campaigns with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, playing in both the Sky Bet Championship and Premier League.

The 22-year-old made 30 Premier League appearances for the Blades last season, scoring three goals and registering three assists, alongside three direct goal involvements in two Emirates FA Cup showings.

McAtee has made seven previous appearances for Manchester City, having made six appearances during the 2021/22 campaign and featuring against Burnley in the Premier League last August.

The Englishman made his first-team debut against Wycombe in the Carabao Cup, with the midfielder’s Premier League debut coming during a 3-0 win against Everton at the Etihad Stadium.

The Salford-born midfielder has also featured in the UEFA Champions League for Manchester City, playing against Sporting Lisbon in March 2022.

The 22-year-old has played in both of Manchester City’s pre-season friendlies in preparation for the new season, and scored during Saturday’s 2-3 loss to AC Milan at the Yankee Stadium in New York City.

McAtee also impressed during a 3-4 defeat to Celtic in the Blues’ opening game of their four-match tour, and the midfielder is poised to feature against La Liga giants Barcelona in Florida on Tuesday.

Speaking ahead of the Blues’ friendly clash against Barcelona in Orlando, McAtee said: “We’ve got Barcelona. I’ve always wanted to play them. They’ve been a team I’ve always watched and I’ve always admired how they played so it will be a great game.

“Their fans will definitely love Pep [Guardiola], so it should be a good game.”

Manchester City have previously played Guardiola’s former club on six occasions competitively, with the Blues’ only victory coming at the Etihad Stadium in November 2016, after an Ilkay Gundogan brace during a 3-1 win in the Champions League.