Manchester United striker Charlie McNeill scored his first senior goal for Newport County at the weekend.
McNeill, 19, signed for Newport on loan for the remainder of the season in the January window and he scored his side's second goal in their 3-1 victory against Tranmere Rovers away from home in League Two on Saturday.
The youngster played 75 minutes in that match before he was substituted and he's made seven league starts from a possible 11 since his arrival. “First senior goal and three points, couldn’t be happier,” McNeill wrote on Instagram.
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Newport manager Graham Coughlan, who has given the academy product regular minutes since joining on loan, was asked about McNeill after the game. He said: “It was a relief for him because he had been going close as the weeks went on.
“Strikers get frustrated if they don’t score, they sometimes don’t see the bigger picture for the team and winning games. Charlie was showing a little bit of frustration creeping into his game but I was delighted he got the goal, same for Kav as well."
Coughlan also discussed McNeill earlier this month and said: "Charlie is a young kid who will definitely need guidance and an arm around the shoulder. Young players need protecting at times and then there are other times when you can just let them off the leash.
"You can tell them to go and have fun, enjoy yourself, get on the ball. This is a massive learning curve for him and it’s chalk and cheese coming here from Manchester United.
"That is dream come true stuff when walking into those buildings and working with those people and those facilities, while this is a bit of reality."
McNeill made his debut for United's first team against Real Sociedad in the Europa League in September. The Droylsden-born forward signed a 'long-term deal' in 2021 and won the FA Youth Cup last season.
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