Man Utd set to recall loan star as Erik ten Hag suffers injury crisis

Posted Saturday, December 30, 2023 by Express.co.uk

Erik ten Hag continues to deal with a mounting injury crisis at Manchester United, but Charlie McNeill is set to return early from his loan spell at Stevenage

Man Utd set to recall loan star as Erik ten Hag suffers injury crisis
Erik ten Hag is expected to recall Charlie McNeill (Image: GETTY)

Charlie McNeill is set to be recalled by Manchester United in January after being sent out on loan for the 2023/24 season. 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 boss Erik ten Hag will recall McNeill before deciding where the forward will finish the remainder of the season.

The Red Devils are amid an injury crisis heading into the New Year, with five first team stars currently out and many of those on the periphery of the starting lineup also in the treatment room. 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. However, it's more likely that the youngster will head back out on loan after being snubbed during his time with Stevenage.

Man Utd set to recall loan star as Erik ten Hag suffers injury crisis
McNeill has been with United since 2020 after re-joining the team from Man City (Image: GETTY)

McNeill joined Steve Evans' Stevenage in September, and scored on his League One debut against Leyton Orient. He made two further appearances in the league but hasn't played a single minute since September 23.

The youngster has failed to impress Evans and with Stevenage currently sixth in League One, the manager is not looking to gamble with promotion to the Championship very much on the cards. McNeill spent the second half of the 2022/23 season on loan with League Two side Newport County, scoring two league goals in 20 appearances.

McNeill began his career with United before moving to City in 2014, when he was just 13. It was United's rivals that he rose to stardom in the academy, scoring over 600 goals at youth level before the Red Devils agreed a £750,000 deal to sign him back in 2020.

Ten Hag has been impressed by McNeill, and handed him his senior debut after bringing him off the bench during a 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad in the Europa League last season. He was the first United academy graduate to be given an opportunity by Ten Hag, which made a major statement about what the Dutchman thinks of the striker.

The 20-year-old is still finding his feet, and although he excelled at youth level the men's game has been a wake-up call for the striker. It'll be up to Ten Hag's judgement whether he sees another loan better for his development, or to keep him involved at Carrington.

United are out of Europe and the EFL Cup, meaning between now and the end of the season they have just 19 Premier League games to play. United will also look to start a run in the FA Cup, with the third round set for the first weekend in January, and United travelling to League one team Wigan.