CHARLIE McNeill, who first kicked a football with Denton West End AFC aged four, fulfilled a dream when his made his first-team debut for Manchester United as a late substitute against Real Sociedad.
And father Martin, who coached Charlie in the Denton club’s soccer school, admitted it was special to be at Old Trafford to witness the latest chapter of a remarkable journey for the 19-year-old.
He said: “It was a dream come true because Charlie, along with the whole family, have always supported United.
“As a boy, he had a poster of Cristiano Ronaldo on his bedroom wall as was mad on him.
“And when he came on to play up front alongside Ronaldo, his idol, was surreal. He had just been excited to simply train with him.”
Charlie was only told he was in the matchday squad late on Wednesday afternoon, the day before the game, having trained with the first team that day. For the first two days of the week, he had been with the U21s with no inkling what lay in store.
He said: “It was an honour to make my professional debut for Manchester United. I’ve grown up supporting this club and worked for over 10 years to make this dream a reality.
“Too many people to name who have helped me in so many different ways. Thanks to the academy staff and coaches for everything they have done to support my development.
“This wouldn’t have been possible without my family and friends who have always been there for me. There is lots more work to come to earn more moments like this.”
The family were out in force for his debut, parents, brother, sister, grandfather and Jay Riley, his best mate since the age of four.
The journey began at Denton West End AFC for Droylsden-raised Charlier, a former pupil at St Stephen’s RC Primary.
Charlie had a short spell at Liverpool before joining United’s development squad aged six and he remained with the Reds until 2014 when he crossed the Mancunian divide and sign for City.
Martin admitted the move was driven for non-football reasons, explaining: “We never knew at that age whether Charlie would have a career in football.
“He chose City as they offered him a place at St Bede’s College and having a good education was more important at that age.”
Charlie remained with City until 2020 when he returned to the Reds in a transfer reported to be an initial £750,000, potentially rising to £1.5million.
And not long after returning to United he scored all four goals for their U18s in a 4-2 victory against the club he had just left.
Charlie is reported to have already scored more than 600 goals and Martin added it is no exaggeration.
He said: “People often say ‘really, has he scored so many goals?’.
“City kept meticulous records and has his grandfather John McNeill so it is not a myth.”
John was at Wembley in 1968 to see United lift the European Cup for the first time and the family have gone home and away for years watching the Reds.
United have praised Charlie’s progress saying he has “really matured in the last six months”.
“It would be fair to say he was young when he first came back, but now he is seen as a real leader within the academy group,” a spokesperson said.
“He has done a lot of individual work with Colin Little in his time at the club.”
In 2020/21, his first season back at the club, Charlie scored 24 goals in 21 games for the U18s.
Charlie today plays mostly for United U21s in Premier League 2 as well as occasionally training with the first team.
Martin ran the soccer school for 10 years but has taken a step back, though he and Charlie remain close to the club and Charlie has promised to return when he has a free weekend.
He added the emergence of Hyde’s Anthony Elanga, FA Youth winning captain Rhys Bennett from Denton, and Charlie is proof there is a pathway from the local grassroots game to a professional club like United.
Denton West End AFC Tweeted: “Congratulations to one of our own, Charlie McNeill, on making your first-team debut for Manchester United, a superb achievement, we’re all very proud.”
Club chairman Ged Redman pointed out Charlie had always been a prolific scorer while playing for them and in 2010-11 won the club’s top scorer away.
He added the same award last season was won by 10-year-old Joseph McNelly who has been signed by Burnley and has a promising future ahead of him.
Charlie is not the only Denton West End AFC footballer to play for Manchester United as he follows Tom Thorpe, 29, who made one first-team appearance.
Defender Thorpe captained the Reds to victory in the FA Youth Cup and he played for England from U16 to U21 level and was a member of the 2019 Euro U17s winning team.
He later played in the EFL for Rotherham, Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers and had a spell playing for ATK in the Indian Super League.