Man Utd forward thanks Erik ten Hag as he announces summer departure

Charlie McNeill has confirmed he will leave Manchester United this summer and thanked manager Erik ten Hag for allowing him to ‘live his dream’.

The striker made one appearance for his boyhood club when he came on as a substitute in a Europa League loss to Real Sociedad in September 2022. He subsequently spent the second half of the 2022/23 campaign on loan at Newport County, and also began this season with a short-term loan switch to Stevenage.

But injury blighted his time at the League One side, and McNeill returned to United in January and has since played for the club’s Under-21s.

ManchesterWorld exclusively revealed on Thursday that the 20-year-old would leave United this summer, and McNeill confirmed the news a little over 24 hours later.

“Thanks to all the coaches, staff, fans and everyone involved at the club for the best 4 years ever, from joining the club to winning the FA Youth Cup to then making my first team debut at 18,” he wrote on social media.

"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.”

McNeill joined United from local rivals Manchester City for a fee of £750,000 in 2020 and, after excelling in the Under-18s, has struggled on loan and at Under-21 level. With Ethan Wheatley and Joe Hugill on the club’s books, a decision was made for McNeill to move on when his contract expires at the end of June.

ManchesterWorld understands a Championship move looks most likely for the youngster at this stage, although there is interest from the Premier League as well as Portugal and Germany.