When playing against Charlie McNeill on loan from Manchester United, League Two defenders quickly learn about the player.
Since joining Newport County in January, the 19-year-old has experienced senior football for the first time. For any unaware opponents in the fourth division, it simply takes a short Google search to learn that this is a player who scored 600 goals for Manchester City at the youth level and cost £750,000 to transfer to United when he was just 17 years old.
However, McNeill's age-group accomplishments are a thing of the past now. Not that the forward ever took his academy record for granted when it came to securing a future in senior football, but the counter has now been reset to zero.
The Manchester Evening News was informed by a source close to McNeill that the talk surrounding his 600-goal childhood record was "b**locks." It's not uncommon for a forward to score a lot of goals when still a kid. McNeill is aware of how little it now matters. He understands he hasn't figured it out, but he knows he can influence the game, the same insider added.
Unfortunately, since leaving for South Wales, the adolescent hasn't been able to accomplish that upon returning to Greater Manchester. He played 64 minutes in a 3-1 loss against Salford City five weeks ago. On Easter Monday, at least, he played the entire 90 minutes, but Newport's six-game winning streak was snapped by Stockport County, who won easily 4-0.
The complete picture isn't revealed by those trips back closer to home, though. He has two goals for the team, plays frequently, and has gained Graham Coughlan's and his teammates' respect.
"Charlie's had a real positive impact since he's come into the football club," Coughlan told the MEN after the defeat to Stockport.
Upon beginning his stint in League Two, McNeill has endured some unkind comments. He received an elbow to the back of the head early in his first game against Swindon Town, which his teammates perceived as a planned gesture to acclimate him to his new surroundings.
However, the small forward has developed the necessary coping mechanisms to deal with the amount of physicality present in the game. He is characterized as being "quite cheeky" on the field by a source close to him.
At Edgeley Park, he chased back into midfield with Stockport midfielder Will Collar within the opening 15 minutes of play. Collar handled the ball in his own attempt to win the free-kick. Newport was informed of the choice, and McNeill waved his hand dismissively at Collar before leaving.
His learning curve at Rodney Parade has been high, and he has made significant progress in his ability to challenge for aerial balls. He won't win many headers in League Two at 5 feet 9 inches, Nevertheless, he has practiced being an unpleasant presence. He contributed to Aaron Wildig's goal at Tranmere on March 18 with his ability to compete in the air.
Given Tranmere's interest in signing McNeill in January, that game had special significance for him. Soon after, he scored, and he enthusiastically celebrated at Prenton Park.
He also had a firm intention of appearing at Edgeley Park. Last week, Coughlan stopped him and informed him that he needed to protect him and that he couldn't start on Good Friday and Easter Monday. When asked which match he would prefer, McNeill quickly said the one against promotion-seeking Stockport because friends and relatives would be there.
He came off the bench against Northampton for the final 13 minutes, scoring his second goal for the team to support Coughlan's choice and man-management.
McNeill is aware that he needs to score more goals, but his friends also point out that he hasn't had many opportunities to do so. He's currently putting a lot of effort into developing possibilities of his own. Ten minutes before halftime, a 25-yard half-volley forced Stockport goalkeeper Ben Hinchcliffe into a save, proving that he undoubtedly created his own, spontaneous chance.
McNeill caught Omar Bogle's flick in the second half, but his effort went wide of the post and above Hinchcliffe. It was his final chance in a frustrating afternoon. But it's all a part of his senior-level learning curve. He started out on the left of a slender front three with Callum Kavanagh and Bogle, with positions frequently changing. McNeill worked as a No. 10, a middle player on his own, and later as Bogle's partner. He had a few chances to play teammates when he recovered the ball in deeper locations, but he was unable to complete the pass.
Despite not having a good day on Monday, United's coaches believe that since transferring to Newport, McNeill has improved his link-up play, become more involved in the game, and added to his skill set in addition to his excellent finishing.
Despite being unhappy with his team's performance that day, Coughlan took time to consider McNeill's development over the preceding three months and how he had handled the transition to senior football.
"The football is totally different. The football he plays at Man United, the facilities, the way they play, it's really really different to League Two," Coughlan said.
"So it's a great learning curve for him, the physical side of the game as well, it's something that he's getting to grips with. It's been a really good loan for ourselves, and we hope Charlie and Manchester United see it that way as well."
McNeill's camp considered a number of options and had particular requirements when evaluating a move in January. A source close to the player brought up the case of Liam Delap, a forward for Manchester City who excelled in youth soccer but joined Championship team Stoke City on loan this year and has only started half of their games.
McNeill knew he had to play even though he wanted to experience senior football for the first time. He has participated in all 14 of the Exiles' League Two games since joining them, starting nine of them.
But he also wanted to push himself beyond his comfort zone. According to a member of his team, he was still "living in a box room in Droylsden" as of last year. Although Tranmere wasn't the only North West club to express interest in January, it was believed that relocating farther away would be advantageous.
When he arrived in Newport in January, he was given housing in a house share, but he soon left and is currently living by himself in a Cardiff apartment. Building relationships and organizing oneself to arrive to practice and games on time have been recognized as advantages.
McNeill only turned 19 last September, but he has already adapted to a hard-edged, competitive locker room. He has established friends with other members of the team and frequently attends the post-workout coffee get-togethers at the Caffe Nero near the practice field. According to reports, he enjoys his life in Newport, the competition for points, and the difficulties of playing senior football.
Charlie McNeill, a loanee from Manchester United, made an impression by scoring for Newport County in their 3-0 victory over Northampton on Friday. Mcneill failed to score in his first ten outings at Newport, but has recently found some terrific form, scoring twice in three games. The on-loan attacker entered the fray off the bench and scored the third goal of the game and the game-winning goal with a clinical left-footed strike into the bottom corner.
On Newport's official website, McNeill's goal was hailed as a "unstoppable finish." McNeill is presently settling in in the lower divisions. McNeill expertly completed it, which exhibits abilities that United is currently lacking.
When McNeill returns in the summer, United "will see a different player," according to a source close to him. During his loan period, he has been honing his pressuring from the front, a skill that will be necessary if he is to ever pose a threat to Erik ten Hag's senior squad. This season, Darren Fletcher has communicated with McNeill and given him texts after games.
Les Parry, United's elite player performance manager, has closely monitored his development along with Danny Keough, the academy's loan support officer. David Hughes, who joined the academy's coaching staff in the summer, has also followed his development because to his contacts in South Wales from his time working at Cardiff City.
The forward made his debut against Real Sociedad in September, playing the final seven minutes of a 1-0 loss, and United believes he has greatly benefited by training frequently with the first-team group in the first half of the season. He is now gaining priceless experience in a tough league.
Contract negotiations will need to be decided upon when McNeill returns. His current contract expires in the summer of 2024, and it is believed that there have not yet been any serious discussions about an extension. However, Matt Hargreaves, who will soon join the club to oversee their football negotiations, is a fan of the player because he previously collaborated with him at Adidas as their director of sports marketing.
Because he is a United supporter and is eager to succeed at the club, McNeill made the trip back to Old Trafford from Manchester City. It's believed there is already significant interest in taking him on loan next season, and a loan stint at a level above League Two might be the next stage in that journey.
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