Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Man Utd identify attacker who can leave to avoid contest with potential new recruit, with player ‘willing’ to secure exit

Charlie McNeill, Daniel Gore and Facundo Pellistri

Manchester United will consider letting one of their attackers leave on loan if extra competition for a place up front arrives in the form of a new signing, a report has revealed.

After the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo back in November, Man Utd have had a void to fill in their attack. A number of names have emerged onto their radar, but they are having to get creative for what they can do in the January transfer window.

The solution seems to be falling into place. Wout Weghorst has ended up on United’s radar while he is on loan at Besiktas from Burnley. Now, though, the Dutchman has reportedly agreed to interrupt that arrangement and make the move to Old Trafford.

It will give Erik ten Hag another option to work with in attack. This will be important, since United have scored the fewest goals of the Premier League’s current top nine teams in the table.

But as with any transfer, there could be implications for players already at the club.

And according to the Manchester Evening News, United have now decided to listen to proposals for one of the more promising forwards on their books.

The report claims that Charlie McNeill could get a chance to go out on loan to a club in the EFL if Weghorst – or another attacker – arrives.

McNeill returned to Man Utd’s academy from Manchester City’s in 2020. A senior debut followed for the striker in the Europa League in September 2022.

The 19-year-old has a prolific goalscoring record at youth level. For example, for United’s under-18s, he scored 34 goals from 35 games.

Stepping up to under-21 level, he has got nine goals from 34 games so far. Perhaps he could do with some further experience towards senior level to ensure he can convert his potential into something useful for United’s first team in the long term.

McNeill willing to leave Man Utd on loan

Hence, the report from the MEN suggests McNeill will be allowed to spend six months at an EFL club, but no potential suitors at this stage have been named.

However, there is a feeling that playing in the EFL could be more useful to McNeill than staying in United’s youth ranks, especially when their under-21s are struggling in Premier League 2.

Therefore, McNeill – who agreed a long-term contract extension with United back in 2021 – could be ready to make a move.

Indeed, the report claims he is “willing” to go out on loan, so a move seemingly has his blessing depending on the destination.

Further down the line, he may harbour hopes of breaking into the first team more frequently. Any deal for Weghorst to come in will only be a loan, so it wouldn’t block his pathway.

But United need experience up front now more than youth, so this potential change of personnel would seemingly make sense for all concerned.

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