Manchester United have such a proliferation of midfield talent at academy level it is hard for all of the players to stand out.
Dylan Levitt and Ethan Galbraith are already senior internationals for Wales and Northern Ireland, while James Garner has already represented United’s first team four times and is out starring on loan.
With Levitt and Garner out on loan, young talent Charlie McCann is beginning to make people sit up and take notice of him too.
McCann was not a big money addition from Monaco or Atalanta like Hannibal Mejbri and Amad Diallo, instead he was a low-cost addition to United’s ranks from Coventry City in 2018.
This past week McCann has scored three goals in two games for Manchester United’s under-23s and is now up to five goals for the season, that’s just one less than Shoretire.
Stepping up
McCann’s long range strike against Everton for the under-23s last week was his best so far. He followed this up with a match winning brace against Southampton at the weekend.
Two late goals from McCann turned a potential 1-0 loss into a 2-1 win, and he could easily have had a hat-trick.
McCann had a strong shot saved in the first half, and blazed over in injury time when presented with a chance to add another.
It was an impressive showing from the youngster, who turned provider to set up an excellent chance in the first half for Mark Helm.
Up until this past week, McCann’s role this season has been overshadowed by the more impactful performances of Mejbri, Anthony Elanga, and Joe Hugill.
Republic of Ireland youth international McCann is showing he deserves a bit of attention too.
Five goals in 13 appearances is a decent return from a midfield player, and it should be noted that at 18, McCann is still one of the more inexperienced players in the under-23s league.
The MEN reported last month that McCann is one of the players who is out of contract this summer and is hoping to land an extension.
After his performances this past week, it would be a big surprise if he was let go, and he may well have been inspired to kick on by that report.
He has done his future prospects no harm at all with his recent displays and if United are smart, then they will offer the youngster a new deal. There will be no shortage of interest in his services if the club let him go.
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