The Academy graduate came off the bench in our latest Champions League clash away at Slovan Bratislava and sealed what was a hugely satisfactory display by rounding off the scoring in a 4-0 win.
On what was a night full of positives for City, it also proved a landmark moment for McAtee as the attacking midfielder registered his maiden senior goal for the Club.
Indeed, it was a goal manufactured in City’s Academy with fellow graduates Rico Lewis and Phil Foden both involved in the build-up.
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For McAtee – now firmly embedded within Pep Guardiola’s first team squad after spending the past two seasons on loan at Sheffield United – it was fitting reward for a fine impact after coming off the bench in the Slovak capital.
And reflecting on the both the goal – and its wider significance – fellow former Academy alumni member Wright-Phillips said it would prove a huge moment for McAtee.
“I’m delighted for him and in many ways, it has been a long time coming for him,” Wright-Phillips declared.
“I think [during his loan spell] at Sheffield United he never got as much credit as he deserved there – he was in many ways a one-man attacking band in a tough situation.
“He was man enough to go there and say: ‘This is what I want to do, and this is going to help me with my mental strength.’
“And he’s come back here and throughout pre-season he was really good and he’s getting his chances now.
“The whole play [leading up to the goal] was nice with the little cheeky scoop pass that Phil played into him and his first touch and how quickly James took that shot and volleyed it straight in at the near post.
“That goal will be important for him - especially when he gets more chances - in that he’ll be in those positions again and they are going to want him to score and he’s going to want to score
“As an attacking player when you score that goal they normally come a lot easier once the first one goes in so fingers crossed for him.”
