Read the detailed match report of all the action here.

(A score of 6 is around average)

Elyh Harrison – 7 – Had little to do in the way of shot stopping but as ever was good with the ball at his feet.

Habeeb Ogunneye – 6.5 – Did well putting in a shift at both centre back and right back and kept it simple while in possession.

Willy Kambwala – 8 – Mopped up everything at the back and was even covering the left wing despite lining up on the right. His pace and strength meant that West Brom couldn’t really get anything going in attack.

Sonny Aljofree – 9 – The man of the match, his passing out from the back was sublime. Whether it was over the top or straight through the heart of the West Brom defence, he cut through the opposition at will. He fed Charlie McNeill throughout with his passing. Was strong out of possession as well and made some good interventions to cut out crosses.

Sam Murray – 6.5 – A solid display and was comfortable on the ball but didn’t offer much attacking threat down the left side and apart from one good block, West Brom did little to test him.

Zach Baumann – 7.5 – Another good performance from the 17-year-old. He has adapted to the level quickly. Very astute in his movements, he did exceptionally well to create passing lanes in midfield and took the ball on the turn. His awareness around him meant he was able to avoid getting drawn into physical challenges in the centre of the park.

Toby Collyer – 8 – From back to front he put in a more expressive performance than usual. He dropped back to cover the backline well but also made some dangerous runs into the West Brom box which isn’t seen very often from him. Should have had a goal when his pressing won the ball but he couldn’t dispatch past the keeper.

Omari Forson – 7 – Given a free role he made some good runs and kickstarted the play for the first goal but wasn’t as involved as he would have hoped for after his recent first-team involvement.

Ethan Ennis – 7.5 – Good pressing from the front and offered a danger in the channels along with McNeill. Got a goal for his hard work and could have easily had an assist before coming off at the break.

Ashton Missin – 7 – Drifted through parts of the match but when he found himself on the ball he created danger with his movement down the wing and deliveries into the box.

Charlie McNeill – 8.5 – Another great performance, his work rate to press and endlessly run the channels have seen a huge improvement and he has also seemingly added an extra yard of pace. Created the first two goals with his crosses and then capped it off with a beautifully taken goal, chipping it over the keeper.

Substitutes

Ethan Williams – 6.5 – Started off with a good effort just wide of goal and tried to inject some pace into the match in the second half but with the overall tempo dropping so much, he couldn’t get going.

Ruben Curley – 6 – A decent cameo in the latter stages as United strolled to victory, won the ball a couple of times and kept possession well.

Tyler Fredricson – N/A – After 16 months out, a return to the pitch was amazing for Fredricson even if for only five minutes. He almost capped his return off with a goal after venturing forward but the rebound didn’t quite fall to him.

Bendito Mantato – N/A – Only a few minutes on the pitch but a nice reward to make his u21s debut after an incredible display for the u18s on Saturday.

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The match saw the return of Omari Forson and Willy Kambwala after featuring in Erik ten Hag’s senior side along with Toby Collyer and Habeeb Ogunneye who have featured on the bench for the first team in recent weeks.

The first chance fell to the home side but their striker’s glancing header flashed past the left post and went wide.

But from then on in, it was all one-way traffic for United with Ashton Missin driving a low ball across the box for Ethan Ennis to stretch and get on the end of but the winger couldn’t get his foot on it.

Five minutes later, Forson kickstarted the counter attack and it was another dangerous cross from the right side but this time, Charlie McNeill provided the delivery which West Brom defender Aaron Harper-Bailey could only turn into his own net while desperately trying to clear.

United almost had their second in the 19th minute when Collyer pressed from the front and forced the turnover before running through on goal but the defensive midfielder looked in a strange position as he hesitated and had his shot stopped.

Just after the half hour mark, West Brom came their closest when Eseosa Sule fired one off the crossbar from long range before Elyh Harrison and Sam Murray came up with big blocks on the rebound attempts.

In the 37th minute, United doubled their lead with another great ball over the top from Sonny Aljofree starting the move, McNeill crossed first time for Ennis waiting at the back post to tap in for an easy finish.

Shortly after, Ennis looked to return the favour, crossing to McNeill running onto a gaping open net but the striker couldn’t reach the ball in time.

At the break, United lead 2-0 and it was thoroughly deserved.

Ethan Williams emerged at the restart in place of Ennis and the substitute almost made an immediate impact, latching onto a loose ball and striking just wide of the right post.

Charlie McNeill made it three in the 67th minute as he slotted home a well deserved goal. A sublime pass from Aljofree once again from the back cut through the entire West Brom side to put McNeill through in on goal before the striker expertly dinked the ball over the keeper.

With the match in the bag and the home side posing little threat, the tempo of the game went down to that of a training exercise.

But there was still some excitement late on as a double substitution saw 16-year-old Bendito Mantato enter to make his U21s debut alongside the return of Tyler Fredricson, who hasn’t featured for 16 months due to injury.

The score finished 3-0 to earn United their first clean sheet of the season, pushing them up to 11th place.

United: Harrison, Kambwala, Aljofree, Ogunneye (Fredricson 85), Murray, Baumann (Curley 77), Collyer, Forson, Ennis (Williams 46), Missin (Mantato 85), McNeill

Unused subs: Plumley

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Due to numerous injuries and loans, Travis Binnion was forced to field a young side with over half the team still being eligible for the u18s. He even used one u16s player in Jim Thwaites. Such is the threadbare squad at u21s level, United named only four players on the bench.

In the opening stages, United took their time to get to grips with the pitch as it hindered their usual passing play out from the back which opened opportunities for Middlesbrough to test Elyh Harrison in goal with a couple of long range efforts.

It was still United who created the bigger chances in the opening half hour though, starting with Maxi Oyedele stretching the play to Charlie McNeill on the right wing, who delicately curled a pass beyond the Boro backline for Ethan Wheatley to run on to. But the striker’s first time effort went wide of the left post.

United eventually took the lead in the 29th minute. Starting with Harry Amass feeding McNeill on the left wing, McNeill crossed low to Wheatley to collect and hold up inside the box before laying off to Ashton Missin charging in from the right to smash it past the keeper inside the near post.

Just past the 40th minute, McNeill’s running down the left wing opened up Boro again but this time his cross was turned in by Boro defender Jack Hannah.

Looking to go into the break 0-2 up, United led it slip in injury time when Ruben Curley’s back pass held up in the turf, allowing Sonny Finch to collect and curl past Harrison.

It was a bad goal to give away and United compounded their mistakes eight minutes into the second half when Boro equalised at 2-2. From a United throw-in, Boro won possession and with Tom Huddlestone out of position at the back, having been offering himself for the throw back, Boro’s Finch was able to capitalise on the deep offside line to run through and score his second past Harrison.

Zach Baumann was United’s leading man in midfield and carved Boro open with a turn in midfield before charging forward and slipping the ball to McNeill on the left, who looked to square across the goal to Wheatley but the keeper was quick to smother.

McNeill had a shout for a penalty when he was cleaned out by the Boro defender but the referee didn’t give it due to McNeill’s heavy touch beforehand.

United were capitalising on the space available on Boro’s wings, with McNeill on the right and Amass on the left. The latter was clattered twice in quick succession around the 80th minute mark.

Heavily in front in the second half, if anyone was to take the win it looked like it would be United, but against the run of play Boro secured the 3-2 win with less than 10 minutes remaining.

United were caught up field leaving Sam Murray to cover a 2v1, but after initially defending well to slow up the attack, the shot from outside the box unfortunately deflected off Murray’s leg and spun over the reach of Harrison and into the goal.

The loss leaves Binnion’s side in 12th place, with a top 16 finish required to make the end of season play-offs.

United: Harrison, Missin, Aljofree, Huddlestone, Murray, Amass, Baumann (Musa 87), Curley (Thwaites 66), Oyedele, Wheatley (Ennis 66), McNeill

Unused subs: Plumley

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This is after United decided to end his loan spell with Stevenage earlier than was initially planned.

A recent report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that McNeill was on track to be recalled back to Old Trafford because his time at Lamex Stadium was not going according to plan.

The 20-year-old struggled to make an impact at the League One impact and to nail down a regular starting berth.

McNeill joined Stevenage on the final day of the summer transfer window and landed on his feet quickly by scoring on his debut against Leyton Orient.

However, since then, it has not been a good time for the goalscorer.

After the Leyton Orient game, he has started just two further games – one in which he played for 45 minutes against Carlisle, and the other 57 minutes vs. Cheltenham.

To highlight just how awful his time at Stevenage was, McNeill has not featured for the club since September and has had to be content with being an unused substitute option on four occasions.

In an update provided by The Manchester Evening News, United have now taken action and have finally recalled the talented starlet.

The Red Devils have seemingly taken matters into their own hands and elected to keep him within their ranks at least until the end of the ongoing 2023/24 campaign.

It’s believed that McNeill could be afforded training opportunities with the first team – it’s certainly better than not being sufficiently used at Stevenage.

At the moment, Erik ten Hag is struggling in the attacking department. Anthony Martial is currently out with an unknown illness, meaning Rasmus Hojlund is the only fit natural striker on the 20-time English champions’ payroll.

Ten Hag has previously demonstrated a willingness to give youngsters a chance if they prove their worth in training. The likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho are evidence of this.

It’s therefore not completely inconceivable that McNeill could find himself in the same situation.

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Erik ten Hag’s side have scored only 21 times in 19 games in the league with only three teams scoring less than the Red Devils.

Rasmus Hojlund finally ended his Premier League goal drought against Unai Emery’s men but considering his age, it would be unwise for the manager to burden him too much.

Anthony Martial remains ill and even when playing has hardly uprooted any trees and his time at the club is expected to end in January or next summer.

United need help up front

United need help in January but Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority stake is being ratified by the league which means he is unlikely to be able to inject cash for use in the winter transfer window.

Outgoings will be required to facilitate additions, but major departures are not expected with players likely to depart on loan.

Whether United will find quality via the loan route remains to be seen. Last January’s purchase — Wout Weghorst did not exactly set the stage alight.

In case an alternative cannot be arranged, Charlie McNeill could prove to be a useful option once he is recalled from his disappointing loan spell at League One outfit Stevenage.

The Daily Express have reported that the young forward, who has played just three times since his temporary move, is set to be recalled and could get a look-in if the team continues their struggle in front of goal.

“Charlie McNeill is set to be recalled by Manchester United in January after being sent out on loan for the 2023/24 season.

McNeill to be recalled

“The 20-year-old striker joined League One side Stevenage in the summer, but has only played three games since joining the promotion chasers.

“United’s only option at striker is Rasmus Hojlund, who they signed from Atalanta this summer in a deal worth £72 million.

“Anthony Martial is one of those working his way back to full fitness, but McNeill could potentially be in line to make his Premier League debut if Ten Hag decides to keep him in their squad for the second half of the season.”

It is not beyond the powers of imagination to see the academy graduate get a chance having already made his debut last season under the Dutch manager.

In fact, he was the first youngster to feature since Ten Hag joined but another loan exit seems more likely.

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Selling multiple youth team stars in the summer might have shown manager Erik ten Hag in poor light but the fact is he gives opportunities to the youngsters but only if they earn it.

Alejandro Garnacho scored possibly the goal of the season with a perfectly-timed overhead kick while Kobbie Mainoo excelled in his first-ever start in the league.

McNeill’s difficult loan

Both have shown that the manager does trust the youth. This season has also seen Hannibal Mejbri play multiple games in midfield while Dan Gore also made his debut for the first team during the Carabao Cup game against Crystal Palace.

Another academy graduate who had made his first team debut under the Dutchman is Charlie McNeill, who came on as a substitute in the Europa League last season.

This summer, he was not part of the pre-season squad as a loan move was in the works and the 20-year-old subsequently earned a move to League One side Stevenage.

His loan spell began in promising fashion as the striker scored on his debut but has managed to play only three games so far this season, totaling 163 minutes of action.

As per The Manchester Evening News, United are not too pleased with how the temporary spell is going and are set to activate the break clause in January and bring him back to Old Trafford.

“Manchester United are planning to recall Charlie McNeill from his loan at Stevenage in the January transfer window. McNeill signed for Stevenage on a season-long loan in September, but he’s made just three appearances.

“The Manchester Evening News understands he will be recalled due to his lack of game time. The striker has struggled for minutes at Stevenage despite making a bright start and the break clause in his loan will be activated.”

Mcneill to be recalled

All loanees usually have a break clause included in their contracts with United monitoring their performances before deciding whether it needs to be triggered or not.

The report mentions that once the England U-16 international is back at Carrington, another loan move might be arranged after discussions.

Last season, McNeill had earned a loan move to Newport County in League Two and had made 20 appearances while scoring twice. It was thought that he would kick on this season but it has not worked out so far.

Currently, United are struggling for goals and injuries and there might be a surprise place on offer if the FA Youth Cup winner can sufficiently impress upon his return.

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Among them, Charlie McNeill is a name who will be one of the most scrutinised after a failed loan spell with Newport County last season.

He has begun this season on fire at Stevenage.

Playing against Leyton Orient away from home on debut, McNeill started with a bang, scoring a debut goal.

The effort came in the 21st minute when Stevenage were handed a free kick in the left channel.

A cleverly taken kick in the dangerous areas was smartly flicked on by McNeill towards goal. It evaded everyone and rolled into the net to give the United youngster his first goal for his loan club.

McNeill joined Stevenage this summer after not being deemed ready enough to contribute to the first team.

Turning 20 soon, the former Manchester City player needs senior football and after a failed loan spell last year, his stock is at a low.

McNeill was a highly-rated signing when he joined from the city rivals as his goalscoring record in youth football was borderline unbelievable.

He had scored 110 goals in 72 games for City U15s and started his United spell in the same vein.

He had 34 goals and 11 assists in 35 appearances for the United U18s but has repeatedly failed at taking the next step into U21s and senior football.

United will hope that this spell at Stevenage and the way he has begun becomes a sign of things to come and he can finally realise the potential that made him such a feared prospect in youth football.

The post Manchester United’s Charlie McNeill starts Stevenage loan with debut goal appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Michael Plant (MancWorldUK) indicates the Manchester United youngster will drop down the football pyramid ahead of Friday’s 11pm deadline, subject to a medical.

A report by The Peoples Person earlier in the summer had revealed McNeill was earmarked for a loan move this season.

The forward was a conspicuous absentee from United’s pre-season friendly against Leeds, with his omission thought to be confirmation he would be plying his trade elsewhere come September.

McNeill made waves three years ago when he rejoined United from rivals, Manchester City, having left Old Trafford in 2014. The initial fee for the move was £750,000, though this could rise to £1.5 million if certain clauses were met.

McNeill was already something of a legend in youth football, where he is said to have scored over 600 goals.

The fact he rejected City’s offer of a new contract, in favour of one at United, will have only helped further strengthen this burgeoning status.

McNeill impressed for the U-18 team, scoring 24 goals in 20 appearances, during his first season back at Old Trafford. The 19-year old also returned 5 goals in the successful FA Youth-Cup run two seasons ago.

McNeill even made his debut for the United senior team at the start of last season, coming off the bench against Real Sociedad in a 1-0 loss at Old Trafford.

The forward then spent the second-half of that year on loan to Newport County, scoring 2 goals and proving 1 assist in 20 games.

This experience is what has driven the desire to go out on loan again as it’s seen as the best environment for McNeill’s continued development.

Newport County were a League Two outfit, however, and therefore a League One side was seen as a preferable jump in quality.

Stevenage currently sit in 5th place in League One, having enjoyed a positive start to the season.

The Hertfordshire club have won three, drawn one, and lost one of their opening five games. However, they have only scored five goals in these five games, suggesting reinforcements up front will be welcome.

Stevenage, therefore, seem the perfect destination for McNeill to land this season.

The post Manchester United academy starlet Charlie McNeill set to join Stevenage on loan appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

To view a detailed match report, click here.

(A score of 6 is around average)

Elyh Harrison – 8 – A penalty save is always a bonus from a keeper and as usual he was quick off his line to cut out attacks and played well with the ball at his feet. Couldn’t do much for both Leeds goals.

Habeeb Ogunneye – 7 – A good two-way performance as he supported in attack and gave very little away in defense.

Sonny Aljofree – 6.5 – A solid display before being sent off in injury time for a handball while being pressured by an offside player. Unfortunate.

Teden Mengi – 7 – A match of moments. Domineering for 88 minutes with extreme strength and pace, he cut out Leeds attacks with ease and played on the front foot. But too eager to jump and opened the space for Leeds’ first and shifted too far to the left for their second.

Marc Jurado – 7.5 – Tasked with playing on his weaker left side, his lack of a left foot showed. But he had the ability and composure to overcome it by cutting back and picking out measured passes into the box consistently.

Toby Collyer – 7 – Somewhat clumsily conceded the early penalty but had a good game otherwise. Dropped into the backline at times and did well dribbling out of pressure and opening spaces. Did not always have the quality of passing in his locker.

Hannibal Mejbri – 7 – A decent performance before tiring in the second half. Worked hard and drew some fouls but disappointingly didn’t shine as bright as you’d expect from a 20-year-old looking to push into the first team.

Omari Forson – 5 – A poor display and just never got going. Seemed to be flat-footed and wanted too much time on the ball, allowing the Leeds defenders to always smother him quickly.

Isak Hansen-Aarøen – 8.5 – The clear stand out, he excelled on the left side of a three man midfield and will have certainly impressed Erik ten Hag with his ability to fulfil the Mason Mount role. He dropped deep to control possession and start attacks, popped up on the left to overload the wing with Jurado, and attacked the box with silky dribbling. You never knew where he was going to be and neither did the Leeds players. On another day, he could have had a bag of assists, if only the team’s finishing had been better.

Mateo Mejia – 5.5 – Played a couple of good crosses but just not enough impact for the amount of possession United had.

Joe Hugill – 6 – A day of almosts. Had three big chances thwarted by slight touches from the Leeds’ defenders and set up a couple with good crosses into the box.

Substitutes

Dan Gore – 7 – Added energy and drive in the second half as he forced open a few chances in the Leeds box. Came close from long range with a cracking effort off the post.

Ethan Williams – 6.5 – Immediately added some directness on the wing and his two-footedness provided quick deliveries.

Maxi Oyedele – 6.5 – Came in at right back and made a fantastic tackle to stop a counter attack.

Charlie McNeill – 7 – Like his teammates, it looked like he’d forgot his shooting boots after a couple of quick misses. Ultimately managed to hit the back of the net with a deflected shot.

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