Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Man Utd transfer news: Highly-rated young striker in talks to secure loan switch before deadline day

Charlie McNeill, Daniel Gore and Facundo Pellistri

Manchester United striker Charlie McNeil is in talks with Newport over a loan move before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, TEAMtalk can reveal.

United are open to allowing McNeill to leave the club on loan in January so that he can get valuable first-team experience under his belt.

A number of EFL clubs have expressed an interest in McNeil. But Newport are hoping to take the prolific forward to Rodney Parade.

McNeill, 19, is one of the most promising youngsters on United’s books. He actually he made his senior debut earlier this season in their Europa League defeat at home to Real Sociedad.

United are allowing McNeil to head out on loan as Erik ten Hag is happy with the current forward options he has at the club.

Wout Weghorst was brought in on loan from Burnley this month, while the in-form Marcus Rashford is also capable playing as a No.9.

There are concerns about Anthony Martial’s fitness though. The Frenchman has suffered four separate setbacks this season and is currently out with what is specified as a ‘knock’.

That has opened the door for Weghorst to show what he can do, with the Netherlands international notching his first goal for the club in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest last week.

Weghorst showing his quality

And, speaking after that game, Ten Hag said of the striker: “I know it’s what he is capable of. He has a really good goalscoring record. We created some more good chances. It was a real striker’s goal.”

Weghorst is likely to continue up front in Martial’s absence and should start the second leg against Forest at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening.

The Red Devils go into that game with a healthy 3-0 lead, but Ten Hag is taking nothing for granted.

He said: “We have to play one game. We have to do the same, prepare and make a good game plan. The players have to be focused.”

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