Pep Guardiola was given ample backing in the January transfer window, spending £180 million in the hopes of getting the season back on track - but some City fans in the Manchester Evening News comments section are finding it increasingly unlikely that the club's young talents like James McAtee and Nico O'Reilly will ever get a look in now.

Manchester City turned down a number of enquiries for both players last months, including an offer from Bayer Leverkusen for McAtee and from Chelsea for Nico O'Reilly. With a batch of new signings to work with as City dig their way out of their rut, it seems increasingly unlikely that either player will have anything more than bit parts to play at the club.

Both have been used in the last few months to give the tired legs of more senior players a chance to rest, and McAtee has a fine two-season spell at Sheffield United on his record, plus the backing of many fans. For now, the pair will have to continue to try to convince Guardiola to give them a chance on the training pitch.

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Last month, Pep said of McAtee: "We don't have enough players, we have a World Cup at the end of the season, we have a lot of games. I think he can play more minutes, he has to fight and I am really pleased for Macca.

"I understand the frustration, absolutely. I was a football player, I have incredible empathy to feel what he can feel. But the same happens for other players and they have to be ready."

For some fans, it's a crying shame that they could see even less of the academy pair going forward. Reader Bristolblue says: “Pep’s biggest weakness is not giving young players a real chance. McAtee especially gets high ratings from those giving commentaries.”

Commenter Mancityboy writes: “Pep has worked wonders at City but he has flaws. The first is that he is incapable of transforming the undoubted talent of the Academy into first team players. Secondly he has an obsession about playing players out of position. Pep should take all of the credit for the title winning seasons. He must also take all of the blame for this calamitous season.”

Solidor says: “Pep speaks with a forked tongue. 'It is down to all players in the squad to prove their importance on the pitch.' If they are not selected, how can they do that?”

Skeg City writes: “They couldn't get a game when we were struggling to find 11 fit players, so they've no chance now.”

Stand17 says: “McAtee has been on season long loans twice at Sheffield United, where he excelled and became a firm fan favourite. He enjoyed promotion and the despair of relegation. There is little point in placing a player on loan to harden him up, if on return, he is largely ignored and overlooked.

"This current crop of first team players have run out of legs, desire and ideas. Playing the youngsters would have given us legs, commitment and fresh ideas.”

BigIan writes: “Pep says they have to be ready, for what? 5 minutes in six weeks' time? Young players must despair at the lack of honesty!”

Raeder Pep G thinks that there is good reason for the manager's selection decisions: “Pep sees these guys every day in training. Some comments here aren’t accepting that perhaps they simply aren’t quite good enough for the level we are now at. This isn’t the 80’s or 90’s anymore.”

Have your say! Are City in danger of letting more fine academy products slip through their fingers? Or is it right that the club go out and get the best available players in the transfer market? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.