Man Utd ready to snatch 'gifted' City starlet from under Guardiola's nose

Manchester United are poised to ignite a transfer tug-of-war with rivals Manchester City over highly rated midfielder James McAtee, whose future at the Etihad Stadium remains uncertain.

With City manager Pep Guardiola reportedly open to letting the 22-year-old depart, United are ready to capitalize, viewing McAtee as a key piece in Ruben Amorim’s ongoing squad rebuild at Old Trafford.

James McAtee, a product of Manchester City’s esteemed academy, has long been tipped for stardom, earning comparisons to City legend David Silva for his vision, technical ability, and knack for unlocking defences.

The versatile midfielder, capable of playing as a No. 8, No. 10, or false nine, has impressed during loan spells at Sheffield United, where he scored nine goals and provided seven assists across two seasons in the Premier League and Championship.

His performances earned him a senior England debut in a 3-0 Nations League win over the Republic of Ireland in November 2024, as well as praise from interim England boss Lee Carsley, who lauded his “unique” ability to play in tight spaces.

Despite his potential, McAtee has struggled to break into City’s star-studded first team, making just nine Premier League appearances, including two starts, and accumulating 188 minutes this season.

With his contract set to expire in the summer of 2026, City face a critical decision: integrate him into the squad or cash in while his value remains high.

Sources suggest City could demand up to £20 million for McAtee, a fee that reflects his homegrown status and growing reputation, though his limited top-flight minutes may temper expectations.

Manchester United’s interest in McAtee comes as part of Amorim’s broader strategy to inject youth, creativity, and dynamism into a midfield that has struggled for consistency.

United’s current options, including Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, and Kobbie Mainoo, lack the attacking spark McAtee offers, with Casemiro and Eriksen expected to depart in the summer due to expiring contracts and declining form.

McAtee’s ability to play as an advanced midfielder or second striker aligns perfectly with Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, which relies on versatile players to link midfield and attack.

The Mirror reports that United are “keeping tabs” on McAtee’s situation, with Amorim identifying him as a cost-effective alternative to pricier targets like Atalanta’s Ederson or Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze.

United’s scouting team has been impressed by McAtee’s performances in limited minutes for City, notably his assist in a 2-1 win over Watford, and his standout displays during his loan at Sheffield United.

The prospect of signing a player from their crosstown rivals adds an extra layer of intrigue, though United face competition from other Premier League clubs, including West Ham, Crystal Palace, and Brentford, as well as European sides like RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund, and Bayer Leverkusen.

Pep Guardiola’s stance on McAtee is pivotal to the transfer saga. Despite praising McAtee as a “special” talent with a “gift” for playing between the lines, Guardiola has admitted the midfielder’s path to regular minutes at City has been blocked by established stars like Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, and Phil Foden.

Speaking after a 4-0 win over Tottenham in December 2024, Guardiola hinted at a potential exit, stating, “He needs to play, and if he cannot find the minutes here, we will find a solution.” Sources indicate that City are now open to a permanent sale in the summer of 2025, with McAtee’s limited role—behind Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan in the pecking order—making a departure increasingly likely.

City’s willingness to let McAtee go is tempered by their desire to avoid strengthening a direct rival like United. The Athletic notes that City are “braced” for a fight, aware of United’s interest and the growing list of suitors.

To protect their interests, City could include a buy-back clause or a significant sell-on percentage in any deal, a strategy they’ve employed with academy graduates like Cole Palmer, who joined Chelsea for £42.5 million in 2023. However, McAtee’s contract situation, with just over a year remaining by summer 2025, may force City to act sooner to maximize his transfer value.

United’s pursuit of McAtee is not without challenges. West Ham, under Julen Lopetegui, see McAtee as a long-term replacement for Lucas Paqueta, while Crystal Palace view him as a creative spark to complement Eberechi Eze.

Brentford, who have a track record of developing young talent, are also in the race, though their lack of European football could be a drawback. In Europe, RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund are monitoring McAtee, with Leipzig’s data-driven approach and Dortmund’s reputation for nurturing young players making them formidable competitors.

Bayer Leverkusen, led by Xabi Alonso, could offer Champions League football, an attractive proposition for McAtee.

Financially, United are navigating the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), which may require player sales to fund new signings.

The potential departures of Casemiro, Eriksen, Victor Lindelof, and Harry Maguire, combined with Marcus Rashford’s likely permanent exit from his Aston Villa loan, could generate significant funds. United’s interest in other attacking players, including Wolves’ Matheus Cunha, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, and Atalanta’s Mateo Retegui, suggests a busy transfer window, but McAtee’s relatively low £20 million price tag makes him an appealing, budget-friendly option.

Landing McAtee would be a coup for United, not only for his talent but also for the symbolic victory of poaching a prospect from their fiercest rivals.

His versatility, work rate, and ability to score and create—evidenced by his 14 goal involvements in 33 Premier League starts for Sheffield United—would add a new dimension to United’s midfield. For Amorim, McAtee represents a long-term investment, capable of growing alongside young talents like Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho while providing immediate impact.

For City, losing McAtee to United would sting, particularly if he fulfills his potential at Old Trafford. Guardiola’s reluctance to block McAtee’s development could open the door for United, but City’s negotiating leverage and McAtee’s own ambitions will play a crucial role.

Posts on X reflect fan excitement, with United supporters urging the club to “hijack” City’s talent, while City fans express frustration at the prospect of another academy star slipping away.

As the summer transfer window approaches, McAtee’s future promises to be one of the most intriguing subplots in the Manchester rivalry. United’s ability to outmaneuver their competitors and convince McAtee that Old Trafford is the right destination will determine whether they can secure a player poised to become a Premier League star.