Loan Watch: Manchester City duo star in Sheffield United victory

On-loan Manchester City duo James McAtee and Tommy Doyle were both on the scoresheet for Sheffield United on Boxing Day.

The Blades moved level on points with Championship leaders Burnley on Monday, beating Coventry City 3-1 at Bramall Lane.

McAtee was named in the starting side by manager Paul Heckingbottom while Doyle scored seconds after replacing the 20 year-old midfielder in the 70th minute.

All three of Sheffield United’s goals were scored by loanees on Monday afternoon, with McAtee firing the Blades ahead in the 35th minute.

Fellow Sky Blues prodigy Doyle scored moments after being introduced, scoring Sheffield’s third goal in the 71st minute.

Both on-loan City players continue to play important roles for Heckingbottom’s side, as they continue to chase automatic promotion back to the top flight.

Callum Doyle, who is on loan at Coventry City, started in the 3-1 loss at Bramall Lane.

Elsewhere in the Championship, City goalkeeper Zack Steffen played in Middlesbrough’s 4-1 win over Kolo Toure’s Wigan and Liam Delap started in Stoke’s 2-2 draw away to Rotherham.

Luke Mbete missed Huddersfield’s win at Deepdale due to illness and Lewis Fiorini was absent from Blackpool’s 1-1 draw against Hull City due to injury.

Manchester City themselves are back in league action this week, playing in the Premier League for the first time since the FIFA World Cup.

The Sky Blues face Leeds United at Elland Road on Wednesday, having knocked Liverpool out of the Carabao Cup with a 3-2 victory at the Etihad Stadium last Thursday.