Man City fans are in disbelief at what Pep Guardiola said about James McAtee after scoring hat-trick against Salford City

Pep Guardiola shocked Manchester City fans with his post-match comments about James McAtee following his hat-trick against Salford City.

Man City thrashed Salford 8-0 to book their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish were among the goal-scorers in Saturday's cup tie as McAtee grabbed all the headlines after bagging a stunning second-half hat-trick.

McAtee scored his first just after the hour mark before scoring again in the 72nd. He completed his hat-trick nine minutes from time.

While Guardiola was pleased with the player's three goals, he bemoaned the 22-year-old's first-half performance.

Speaking after the game, he said: "I'm not denying how happy I am that he scored a hat-trick, it's not easy. But he can play better. The first-half was not his best."

The Blues boss added: "He’s a special, talented player. Generation of [Morgan] Rogers, [Cole] Palmer, [Liam] Delap, [Romeo] Lavia, [Jadon] Sancho. He was a main player there, the captain and a Man City fan."

James McAtee takes home the match ball after his hat-trick against Salford City. Image: Getty

Needless to say, Guardiola's assessment of McAtee's showing against Salford got Man City fans online talking.

One X user wrote: "I promise you I knew he’d say this. Genuinely what is the point? Who gains anything from you saying this you weirdo."

A second argued: "This is a good thing in Pep speak. If Pep said he’s so so good I’d be convinced Macca’s getting sold."

A third added: "Pep's embarrassing trick. he wasn't the best, but when we were beaten left and right he praised our game. He saw the boys from the academy having fun and said: 'not on my watch'."

A fourth said: "Pep, you could have just left the second half of that for the dressing room, y’know."

Another commented: "Good. We don't have Salah mentality around here, happy for the hat trick but he had an off game most of the time."

McAtee spent last season on loan at Sheffield United, with the youngster making 11 appearances in all competitions since returning to the club.