Robbie Savage offers touching Charlie McNeill praise after Manchester United debut

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Charlie McNeill became the latest youngster to be awarded his senior Manchester United debut on Thursday night. The striker, a prolific scorer for United's academy side, came off the bench in the 84th minute of the 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad at Old Trafford.

He replaced Tyrell Malacia late into the game as United made a losing start to this season's competition. A controversially-awarded penalty, scored by Brais Méndez just before the hour mark, was all that separated the sides in what was a subdued atmosphere following the news of the Queen's death just hours earlier. Read more: United pay tributes to the Queen prior to Sociedad match Robbie Savage, the former United academy graduate who was on punditry duty for BT Sport , has praised McNeill for his hard work in earning his first team breakthrough.

Savage's son Charlie is an academy counterpart of McNeill's and he made his first team debut last term. Speaking on commentary, Savage Snr said: "It's brilliant to see young Charlie McNeill making his debut for the first-team. "He's scored lots of goals in the youth academy.

He's a great lad, so (I'm) delighted for Charlie and his family that he's made his first-team debut. I know exactly how his family will be feeling, they'll be so proud." United are scheduled to return to action on Sunday with a trip to Crystal Palace although a decision on whether or not this weekend's Premier League games will go ahead is expected on Friday. READ NEXT: All the latest United news, views and transfer updates Erik ten Hag reveals where United's players can improve United add seven players to their Europa League squad United must not copy Chelsea's Thomas Tuchel mistake What Lisandro Martinez must learn at United