Manchester United loanee says playing with Cristiano Ronaldo was a ‘dream come true’ | OneFootball

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·31 March 2023

Manchester United loanee says playing with Cristiano Ronaldo was a ‘dream come true’

Article image:Manchester United loanee says playing with Cristiano Ronaldo was a ‘dream come true’

Manchester United loanee Charlie McNeill has weighed in on his favourite two moments of the season so far.

McNeill spent the first half of the season with the Red Devils before completing a loan move to League Two side Newport County in the January transfer window.


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Before exiting Old Trafford to gain more experience, Erik ten Hag awarded the teenager with his debut during United’s Europa League group-stage clash with Real Sociedad at home.

He was deployed up front alongside five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo in the closing stages of the game and has since labelled the experience a “dream come true” when speaking to South Wales Argus.

The 19-year-old said: “I’ve always loved Ronaldo since he first played for United before going to Real Madrid. I just loved him and fortunately enough I got to make my debut and was playing up front with him. That was just surreal, a dream come true.

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“I thought I was getting close [to a debut] a couple of times and then the new manager [Erik ten Hag] came in and I’d been training really well. He saw that and put me in the squad but I didn’t think that I would come on because we were getting beaten 1-0. He put me on and I was just buzzing to play in front of 75,000.

“I personally think United is the biggest club in the world so if you go out on loan you’ve always got eye on you and people are expecting big things. That can be tough because people expect a lot of me but it’s my first loan. I do want to show what I am about as well because I know I am a good player.”

McNeill reflects on netting first senior goal

Since making the switch to Newport, the prolific attacker has also registered his first senior goal to put his side 2-0 ahead in a must-win meeting with Tranmere Rovers.

McNeill reflected on the emphatic moment, adding: “It was everything that I’ve dreamt of. The feeling was just unbelievable with all the lads celebrating and congratulating me, and it was even better to get the win as well. It was just perfect.”

“I was just buzzing and there was a bit of relief as well because I had come so close in past games. Now I’ve got it I feel more confident and that I can go on and score a couple more.”

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