It was back to business as usual for Sheffield United on Boxing Day as Paul Heckingbottom’s side produced the goods to beat Coventry 3-1.
United were the better side for large parts of the game and took their chances when it mattered to decide the game.
McAtee’s second of the season came from a quick break by Iliman Ndiaye, while Ollie Norwood teed up Ciaran Clark for the second. Tommy Doyle made it three before a late Gyorkeres goal and a John Egan red card led to a more nervy finish than necessary.
McAtee and Ndiaye starting to tick
Much like Ndiaye’s partnership with Oli McBurnie was going along nicely before the World Cup, the duo of Ndiaye and McAtee also seem to be blossoming.
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And speaking to Coventry’s media after the game yesterday, Sky Blues boss Mark Robins picked out the United duo as being the key men for United.
“We gave them too much space. And when you’ve got a player like Iliman Ndiaye, he sort of grew into the game and well into the game, along with McAtee. I thought those two were the pick of their team with quality. You allow them some space and some time and they’re going to hurt you,” Robins said.
McAtee has seized his chance since the World Cup after spending time with Paul Heckingbottom in the break.
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There were some glimmers of his ability just before the break but whatever he’s been doing with Hecky and the coaches seems to be paying off.
McAtee is looking unplayable at times for United. Much like Ndiaye, when he is up and running at defenders he seems almost impossible to stop. This is good news for United, and gives the Blades what feels like a new signing.
Much was made of McAtee’s arrival in the summer. With a burden to replace Morgan Gibbs-White, it’s not quite clicked up until now for the City loanee. However, that tide looks to be changing and McAtee is getting better and better.
Hopefully, with McBurnie returning soon, that trio of McAtee, Ndiaye and United’s number nine can cause havoc and effectively lead us to promotion.
