Why Charlie McNeill did not play for Manchester United vs Leeds as transfer plans revealed

Manchester United youngsters grabbed headlines when they defeated Leeds in their opening pre-season match earlier this week.

Erik ten Hag named an experienced side to start the match in Oslo on Wednesday before turning to an academy XI for the second-half of the match.

United went in goalless at the break before scoring twice without reply after the pause, through goals from Noam Emeran and Joe Hugill.

It was a match that highlighted how much young attacking talent is already at the club, though there was a notable absence in the shape of Charlie McNeill.

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The 19-year-old is arguably the most experienced of the lot following his first-team debut last season, and he has senior experience from a loan with Newport in the second-half of the previous campaign.

It is that spell with the League Two side that is understood to have influenced the decision on why he was not involved in Norway during midweek.

The Manchester Evening News understands McNeill was not included in the side that travelled to Oslo because he is set to leave on loan again this summer.

A source stated that the teenage forward is not being pushed forward as part of the first-team training programme due to the fact that he will likely be leaving in the near future.

It is understood McNeill is aiming to seal a League One loan move, though he could be persuaded to drop lower down the leagues again if the right opportunity presents itself.

McNeill turned down offers from higher up the football pyramid back in January because they could not promise him the same regular opportunities as the Welsh club.

The teenage forward scored two goals and grabbed a single assist across 20 appearances