Tearful James McAtee says it has been ‘hard to talk’ to his old Sheffield United team-mates after the death of George Baldock as the Man City youngster pays tribute to a ‘special person’

An emotional James McAtee dedicated both goals for England’s Under 21s to the late George Baldock at the end of a painful week.

The Manchester City midfielder formed a bond with Baldock after spending two years on loan at Sheffield United and the pair remained close.

McAtee took the news of Baldock’s passing hard and broke down in tears when paying tribute to the 31-year-old, who died from drowning in Greece on Wednesday.

‘I’ve been speaking to some of my old team mates and it’s been hard to talk to them to be honest,’ said a visibly upset 21-year-old.

‘Even when I left [Sheffield United] he was still texting me, asking if I needed anything. When I was there he welcomed me with open arms, he looked after me.

McAtee pictured celebrating his second goal by unveiling a tribute to the late George Baldock

Baldock pictured (centre) hugging team-mate McAtee back in November 2022 when they were playing together for Sheffield United in the Championship

‘I played for him and for what he gave me. Everyone knows that he’s a special player and a special person. I’m really emotional right now and wishing his family the best. It’s been a tough week.’

McAtee had prepared a shirt reading ‘rest easy brother’ to unveil in the eventuality of him scoring and he ended up with a late brace to inspire England to a 2-1 win over Ukraine, a result that effectively confirms their qualification for next summer’s European Championship.

‘I was desperate to score,’ he added. ‘When I did it was in honour of George. Luckily I’ve been here with my mates with England but I’ve been keeping him in my mind.

‘I’ve been saying all week, and the lads will back me up, that I was going to score a free-kick. I just felt it. My free-kicks have been good in training.

‘The second one is something my gaffer back home [Pep Guardiola] has been telling me to do: get in the box and create overloads and numbers and you’ll get a chance. He has been telling me to add it to my game recently.’