Charlie McNeill, who is on loan at Newport County AFC, expressed an emotional farewell after confirming his departure from Manchester United.
The 20-year-old attacker will seek a new challenge this summer when his contract with the Red Devils expires. United paid a reported £750,000 to sign McNeill from Manchester City, where he was a prolific goalscorer in age-grade football.
The attacker, who won the FA Youth Cup in 2022, made his senior debut against Real Sociedad in the Europa League. McNeill continued his progress with his first true senior football stint with County in the second half of the 2022/23 League Two season.
He scored his first goal against Tranmere and then finished calmly to beat Northampton at Rodney Parade. McNeill, along with fellow loanee Calum Kavanagh, who has already made the permanent move to Bradford City from Middlesbrough, helped to bring out the best in talisman Omar Bogle during the Exiles’ excellent run-in.
He appeared in pre-season for the Red Devils, but a loan transfer to Stevenage in League One did not work out, and after only three appearances, he was recalled to continue the season with the academy.
McNeill will now look for a new club to take his career forward, posting on social media: “My time at Manchester United has come to an end.
“I’d just like to thank all of the coaches, staff, fans, and everyone else at the club for the best four years of my life, from joining the club to winning the FA Youth Cup to making my first team debut at the age of 18.”
“That was my dream come true, and I will be eternally grateful for the opportunity to play at the Theatre of Dreams for my boyhood team, which I can thank the manager for.
“I gained some lifelong friends and learned valuable lessons along the road. I adore the club, and it will always hold a particular place in my heart. “Once a Red, always a Red!”
