Last season, McAtee made five appearances for the Sky Blues first team, including a Champions League round of 16 tie against Sporting Lisbon and made the bench several times as an unused substitute.
Heckingbottom’s side are leading the race to sign the 19-year-old attacking midfielder on loan in the ongoing transfer window despite interest from several Premier League outfits.
The Blades boss has admitted that he has seen the English youth international play before and is of the opinion that McAtee is a fantastic player with good quality.
“He’s not our player”, Heckingbottom told Yorkshire Live.
“But he’s someone who we know, who I have seen play and who lots of people have seen play, whether it’s been moments for City or for England, but yeah, he’s a good player.
“He handles the ball fantastic, he has good quality on the ball.
“That’s why he’s at Man City.”
McAtee made his debut for the Citizens in EFL Cup against Wycombe Wanderers before making his first Premier League appearance in November against Everton.
