Sheffield United boss explains how Man City duo have ‘gone through the roof’ during loan spell

Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom says James McAtee has grown “from a boy into a man” with fellow Manchester City loanee Tommy Doyle also progressing his game.

Both players signed for the Blades on a season-long loan last summer and guided the club gain promotion back to the Premier League. They were also instrumental in helping them reach the FA Cup semi-finals, albeit were unable to play at Wembley with parent club City the opponents.

Both are set to return to the Etihad next month after a memorable year in Sheffield and loan boss Heckingbottom hailed their respective developments at Bramall Lane, midfielder McAtee nabbing nine goals and four assists in 43 appearances and central linchpin Doyle recording four goals and seven assists in 38 outings.

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Speaking of McAtee, Heckingbottom told Yorkshire Live: "Macca has gone from a boy to a man. He has learned a hell of a lot about himself, about first-team football and everything that comes with it when you are expected to perform week in, week out, every three days.

"He has grown and grown into that role. Tommy [Doyle] is very similar to Macca in that respect. Different players what they bring for us but their personalities in terms of how determined they are to succeed in football is very similar."

Touching on why McAtee and Doyle were given so much game time this season, Heckingbottom added: "They fit in. They would not have got game time if they didn't work for the team.

"They would not have got the minutes to show what they are about. You can look at both. Individual moments. We lost 1-0 to QPR [in October] and Tommy left his runner. You can't do that. You can't expect to play if