If you were to tell late
Manchester City legends and FA Cup winners Glyn Pardoe and Mike Doyle that their grandson Tommy would be the hero whose goal sent his side to Wembley, they probably would have imagined it to be for the family’s beloved City. However, Tommy Doyle ’s powerful long-range effort in the final moments of the game elevated his current side, Sheffield United, into the FA Cup semi-finals, sinking fellow Championship side Blackburn Rovers. Doyle has been on loan at the club since the summer, and alongside his fellow City loanee James McAtee , the pair have played pivotal roles in Sheffield United’s league and cup campaigns. ALSO READ: Why Doyle and McAtee can't face City in FA Cup Doyle has managed four goals and five assists in all competitions this season across 24 appearances, statistics he has already beaten from his previous season at Cardiff City. His Mancunian compatriot, McAtee, nicknamed the ‘Salford Silva’, has demonstrated some silky and suiting displays in his first campaign in men’s
Football. The CFA academy product has tallied up 29 appearances, as well as five goals and two assists along the way. McAtee’s brother, John, who plays for Grimsby Town, impressively reached the quarter-final round of the FA Cup, mirroring his brother’s progress. A possible family meeting in the next round would have been a wonderful tale. However, the Mariners fell to defeat at the hands of the red-hot Brighton & Hove Albion. However, the McAtee household will have to hope and wait a little longer to see James play at Wembley as, alongside Doyle, he will be unable to play in the semi-final. After the Blades’ victory, there was a feeling of initial confusion as to whether the two players could appear at Wembley, even from manager Paul Heckingbottom. However, FA Cup rules state that a loan player can not face off against their parent side. The last time the Blades won the FA Cup was all the way back in 1925, and if they were to progress past six-time winners City then Doyle and McAtee would eventually have their opportunity to play at Wembley and try to win the FA Cup for the Yorkshire club. Aside from the FA Cup, in the league this season, Sheffield United are currently sitting in second place, with Vincent Kompany’s Burnley steamrolling the division and taking top spot. The target now must be the route of automatic promotion, and to do this, they need to keep the gap wide open from promotion challengers Middlesbrough, Luton Town and Blackburn Rovers. Sheffield United keeping their squad's impressive balance of experience and young talent will be key, with Doyle and McAtee destined to play vital roles in the division's run-in. Looking beyond this impressive season, the future looks bright for the pair. If the Blades achieve their goal of returning to the big time, it’s likely the pair would be more than happy to return to the Yorkshire outfit. However, if they do not gain promotion, it’s likely they will have
Premier League sides in the hunt for their signatures. Then there is the other possibility that
Pep Guardiola sees them as a part of his first-team plans. With City skipper Ilkay Gundogan’s contract expiring and Bernardo Silva seemingly wanting a move away, there should be some empty slots waiting to be filled in the Blues’ midfield this summer. But are Doyle and McAtee ready? Arguably not, right now, or at least not to be starting for the Premier League champions. The most likely candidate is McAtee, as he has been around the first team more recently and matches Guardiola’s profile with his positional flexibility. He may be used as a similar player to Cole Palmer, who makes regular appearances off the City bench and makes the odd appearance. With City’s possible lack of players in that role in the summer, he has an opportunity to catch Guardiola’s eye this pre-season. The same goes for Doyle; he has a real opportunity to show the manager what he’s got in pre-season. However, unlike McAtee, he arguably is not as attacking in his play, which possibly makes it harder for him to stand out. That’s not to say he hasn’t got a chance by a long way, but he may have to be even luckier than McAtee, as his last appearance under Guardiola came back in the 2020/21 season. In comparison, McAtee last featured last season for the Blues, racking up 2 Premier League appearances, so he may be closer to the forefront of Guardiola’s plans. However, it is certain that the pair have shone this season for Sheffield United, helping them polish the Blades’ midfield and push the team further than anyone thought they could at the beginning of the campaign. No matter how United do from now until the end of the season, the pair can be proud of their achievements and can return to their home club in the summer better players with bright futures in the game ahead of them. READ NEXT: All the latest Manchester City news, views and gossip Kompany has brutal reminder for City over
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