Ex-Newport loanee Charlie McNeill leaving Manchester United

The 20-year-old striker will head for a fresh challenge this summer when his contract with the Red Devils expires.

United paid a reported fee of £750,000 to sign McNeill from Manchester City after he was a prolific goalscorer in age-grade football.

The forward, a member of the team that won the FA Youth Cup in 2022, made his senior debut against Real Sociedad in the Europa League.

McNeill continued his development with a first proper spell in senior football with County in the second half of the 2022/23 League Two campaign.

JOY: Charlie McNeill celebrates scoring for County at Tranmere (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

He scored his first goal in the win at Tranmere and then struck with a composed finish to clinch victory against Northampton at Rodney Parade.

Along with fellow loanee Calum Kavanagh, who has now made the permanent switch to Bradford City from Middlesbrough, McNeill helped to bring the best out of talisman Omar Bogle in a strong run-in for the Exiles.

He featured in pre-season for the Red Devils but a loan move to Stevenage in League One didn’t work out and, after just three outings, he was recalled to finish the season with the academy.

Now McNeill will find a new club to take the next step, writing on social media: “My time has now come to an end at Manchester United.

“I would just like to say thank you to all the coaches, staff, fans and everyone involved at the club for the best four years ever, from joining the club to winning the FA Youth Cup to then making my first team debut as an 18-year-old.

“That was my dream come true and I will be forever grateful for getting that opportunity and living my dream of playing at the Theatre of Dreams for my boyhood club, which I can thank the manager for.

"I’ve made some friends for life and learnt valuable lessons along the way. I love the club and it will always have a special place in my heart. Once a Red, always a Red.”