Droylsden youngster becomes the latest hot prospect to emerge from Tameside

Tameside has become synonymous with producing talented footballers in recent years, with many featuring for Premier League outfits and England youth teams.

Former West Hill pupil Rob Holding made a name for himself at Bolton Wanderers before moving into the top flight with Arsenal in 2016, whilst former Audenshaw High School student Zack Clough, who now plies his trade with Adelaide United in Australia, signed for Championship outfit Nottingham Forest in 2017 for a reported £3 million.

Andy Welsh, the current manager of AFC Bury, also studied at Audenshaw School and learnt his trade with Dukinfield Town FC, before playing in the Football League with Stockport County and then hitting the dizzy heights of the Premier League with Sunderland.

More recently, former Hattersley FC youngster Anthony Elanga, who scored the all-important goal in Manchester United's 1-1 draw at Athletico Madrid in the Champions League last week, has become a fans' favourite at Old Trafford this season with his attacking threat and refreshing outlook on the game. Rhys Bennett, who was spotted as an all-round sportsman during his time at Russell Scott Primary School in Denton, also penned his first professional deal with United in January and is expected to enjoy a similar rise to Elanga's.

And, after some eye-catching displays with the Red Devils' Under 18s, it appears another Tameside youngster is destined for greatness.

Charlie McNeill, a life-long United fan from Droylsden, has caught the attention of journalists and supporters alike with his tenacity in front of goal this season. After re-joining the club from Manchester City in the summer of 2020 for a reported £750,000, McNeill repaid the faith with 24 goals in 21 appearances whilst representing the Under 18s during the 202/21 campaign. He has since progressed further and featured more regularly with the Under 23's this season. However, last Thursday, McNeill helped the Under 18s come from behind to beat Leicester City 2-1 in the FA Youth Cup quarter-final. The result means United will now host Wolverhampton Wanderers in the semi-final on a date to be confirmed. The game will mark the first time in 17 years that Wolves have featured in this stage of the competition.

McNeill played an instrumental role in helping United's Under 19s to a 2-1 victory over BSC Young Boys in December, assisting the opener before executing a chipped effort in the dying stages to get his name on the scoresheet.

Although pundits argue that he isn't quite ready to make the step-up and feature for the Red Devils' first team just yet, McNeill will be hoping to silence the critics with a solid display in the Under 19s' clash against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Youth League last 16 tonight. 

The game is being held at Leigh Sports Village with an 8pm kick-off. Tickets are free of charge and can be ordered here: https://www.venuetoolbox.com/LeighSportsVillage/ASP/selectArea.asp?bookEvent=true&eventID={4DA6CB6B-5D13-4317-A0D4-B60288DC6F34}&homeArea=home

Picture taken from Charlie's Twitter account