James McAtee scores hat-trick as Man City rack up eight against Salford – latest reaction
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David Beckham and Gary Neville may have sensed it would not be a giant-killing evening, choosing to skip Salford City’s short trip to the Premier League champions where James McAtee took centre-stage with a hat-trick. McAtee had to be reminded to collect the match ball at full-time. He was caught up in the moment as City supporters chanted: “We want 10.” With Divin Mubama scoring on debut and Jack Grealish netting his first club goals in more than a year, McAtee’s treble had put them within sight of double figures.
“I’ve been here since I was 10 and it’s a special moment for me, something I’ll remember forever,” said McAtee. “I don’t think I needed to prove myself but to get out there and show people what I can do, it’s a good moment for me.”. Pep Guardiola now has a decision to make on McAtee. Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig, Mainz and Borussia Dortmund want to take the 22-year-old to Germany as they look for the next English talent to nurture in Bundesliga.
McAtee has not started a game in the Premier League this season but has made positive contributions off the bench recently. City rarely stand in the way of players wanting to leave but can they afford to lose him with the squad hit by injuries this season?.
“He’s a special talent, the generation from Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, Liam Delap, Jadon Sancho, Romeo Lavia. He played with all the players who already play in the Premier League. He was a main player there, the captain, a City fan. He’s another talent that we trust a lot, like Divin our striker.
