Pep Guardiola shared his thoughts on Salford-born midfielder James McAtee after the ruthless 8-0 victory against Salford City in the FA Cup.
The Manchester City manager was high-spirited after the 8-0 demolition over the Ammies, and was happy to praise his sides perfromance.
Guardiola made nine changes to his starting XI, with Divin Mubama, Nico O’Reilly, as well as Salford-born James McAtee.
The featuring players were all able to get themselves on the scoresheet, with McAtee impressing with a hat trick.
Despite the margin on the score board, the sold-out away end were make themselves heard throughout the fixture.
Salford City lineup and shake up hands with the Manchester City XI with the sold out away section making themselves heard #FACup pic.twitter.com/Im9b5cZ0Eg
— Salford Now (@SalfordNow) January 11, 2025
Following the 8-0 victory, Guardiola said: “We finally won a game by a good margin with all respect for Salford of course.”
The fixture saw the Cityzen’s have five different scorers, with the most impressive coming from the Salford-born James McAtee.
The Salford-born forward was able to score his first goal at the Etihad, and was able to seal the fixture of with a hat-trick.
The three goals came in the second half, with the Ammies being depleted after going in at half time 3-0 down.
The midfielder was able to find great positions in the penalty area, and was able to convert well worked chances into goals.
And the performance hadn’t gone unnoticed, with Pep adding: “I am so happy for him, he is a special player. A hat trick is not easy.
“He has an incredible sense in front of goal, he has the right tempo, he changed the rhythm to score and I am very happy for him.”
61 – James McAtee scores the fifth for Man City.
Matheus Nunes played the ball over the top with Jeremy Doku getting on the end of it, before squaring a cross the box.
McAtee was happy to take the ball and fire into the net.
MCI 5 – 0 SAL #FACup
— Salford Now (@SalfordNow) January 11, 2025
And the performance could see the midfielder becoming a regular in the Manchester City line up.
Pep continued: “It depends on him of course, its for the manager to select him to play but he can play better, he got three goals but his performance could be better.”
81 – James McAtee scores his hat-trick as Man City extend their lead to eight
The Salford-born midfielder was able to get on the end of Jack Grealish’s cross into the box and put it into the back of the net
MCI 8 – 0 SAL #FACup
— Salford Now (@SalfordNow) January 11, 2025
However, despite the criticism Guardiola credited his work ethic, composer and rhythm, calling the McAtee “a special player.”
The victory has seen Manchester City advance their way into the fourth round of the FA Cup, and have picked up three consecutive victories for the first time since October 2024.
The win will see Manchester City turn their attention back to the Premier League, while Salford City will make the five mile journey back to Peninsula Stadium to bounce back against Fleetwood Town.
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