“Low-risk move” – Ipswich cast eyes over Man United talent: The verdict | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Ipswich Town are considering a January loan move for Manchester United striker Charlie McNeill, as detailed in an exclusive Football League World report.

The report revealed that Preston North End have also shown interest but an update from Lancs Live claims that a move this month is rather unlikely.

The 19-year-old has netted four times and has provided a further two assists in 18 appearances across Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy thus far this season.

Ipswich, who are under the stewardship of former Manchester United coach Kieran McKenna, currently sit third in the League One standings and will be hoping to secure automatic promotion back to the Championship during what remains of this campaign.

Three of our writers here at FLW have shared their thoughts regarding the young forward and whether or not a move to Suffolk would represent a good move…

Quiz: Can you name which club Ipswich Town signed these 22 players from?

1 of 22

John Wark (1988)

Arsenal Liverpool Man Utd Newcastle

Billy Mulley

This would be a good move for all parties in my eyes.

McNeill is at a point in his development where exposure to a first-team setting would be incredibly beneficial, even if regular game time cannot be afforded to him.

For the Red Devils, they will be seeing an exciting academy prospect gain experience in and around a promotion-pushing side, whilst Ipswich will be adding a forward who would provide a different kind of service to their current options.

Technically fantastic and an intelligent frontline operator, McNeill would certainly have opportunities under McKenna if a move to Ipswich was sanctioned.

All in all, this would be a relatively low-risk move which could help to continue strengthening the bond between the two clubs.

Toby Wilding

This is an interesting one to consider from an Ipswich Town perspective.

The Tractor Boys have already added to their forward line considerably in the early stages of the January transfer window, with the signings of Nathan Broadhead and George Hirst to join the likes of Freddie Ladapo, Kayden Jackson and others.

As a result, there may be some questions about whether another attacking option is something that the club really need to prioritise at this moment in time.

However, McNeill is a promising young option who could add something extra to Ipswich in their push for promotion, especially considering he will be playing under a manager in Kieran McKenna, who ought to already know the striker from their time at Manchester United.

With that in mind, McNeill does look like someone who could be an asset for Ipswich in the second half of this season, meaning this does look to be one that is at least worth thinking about for them.

James Reeves

While McNeill is clearly a youngster with a lot of potential, it is difficult to see the need for another striker at Ipswich right now.

The Tractor Boys have already signed George Hirst on loan and completed a big-money move for Nathan Broadhead, while Freddie Ladapo, Conor Chaplin, Tyreece John-Jules, Gassan Ahadme and Kayden Jackson are already on their books.

Given the fact that Kieran McKenna often only plays one central striker, albeit with Chaplin in the number 10 role and Jackson on the left, there are serious question marks about where all these front men fit in.

If they do sign McNeill, he is a player that McKenna will know from his time at Old Trafford and if he can translate his prolific form in the academy to first-team football, then he could prove a shrewd acquisition.