Manchester United starlet Charlie McNeill sits down TWO Borussia Dortmund defenders before finishing off brilliant team move in UEFA Youth League clash… but academy goal machine misses crucial penalty in last-16 shootout defeat
- Charlie McNeill scored his 11th goal of the season for Man United’s academy
- Goal against Borussia Dortmund was his third goal in five Youth League games
- But the 18-year-old also missed a spot kick in the penalty shootout defeat
Charlie McNeill reminded Manchester United fans of his potential on Tuesday night after superbly rounding off an excellent team move against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Youth League.
The 18-year-old scored his 11th goal of the season after a sharp turn and ruthless finish to draw United level in the clash against their German counterparts.
McNeill benefited from Zidane Iqbal’s excellent work down the left and subsequent pass into him inside the area.
Charlie McNeill reminded Manchester United fans of his potential with a well-taken goal on Tuesday night
McNeill restored parity against Borussia Dortmund with a smart turn and sharp finish
The striker then nutmegged Soumaila Coulibaly, leaving him and another defender – who attempted a desperate block – on the floor, before he finished smartly at the near post with 23 minutes gone on the clock.
It was McNeill’s third goal in five UEFA Youth League games, but it was not enough to prevent United from exiting at the round of 16 stage of the competition.
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens – who scored the opener at Leigh Sports Village – restored Dortmund’s lead before United restored parity again in the 85th minute through Rhys Bennett.
McNeill then appealed for a penalty at the end of normal time when he appeared to be fouled inside the box but his protests were dismissed by the referee.
The strike at Leigh Sports Village was McNeill’s third goal in five UEFA Youth League games
Extra time failed to yield a winner, leading to a penalty shootout in which McNeill was one of three United players that failed to score.
London-born forward Byone-Gittens however made no mistake and converted the winning spot-kick to send Dortmund through to the last eight.
United still have something to play for this term though and will now turn their attention to domestic matters.
McNeill has helped the Red Devils reach the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup – in which they will play Wolves later this month – with three goals in four games.
But it was not enough to prevent his side exiting the UEFA Youth League at Borussia Dortmund’s expense
Meanwhile, United U23’s are sat fifth of 14 teams in the Premier League 2 table, a competition in which he has played 13 times this season, scoring four goals and laying on one assist.
It represents significant progress for McNeill over the last 12 months, having spent the majority of the 2020-21 season in the U18 Premier League, scoring 24 goals in 21 matches in the process.
McNeill – who joined United from local rivals Manchester City in a £750,000 deal in 2020 – also has an England U16 cap to his name.
The striker was on the United’s books as a child before moving to City’s academy for six years prior to his return to the red half of Manchester.
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens scored both Dortmund goals and the winning penalty in the shootout
