Manchester United are keeping tabs on Burnley’s teenage winger Dwight McNeil – five years after releasing him as a schoolboy.
The 19-year-old slipped through the cracks at Old Trafford and made the short move to Turf Moor to continue his career.
The Rochdale-born youngster has established himself as a promising winger since boss Sean Dyche handed him a first-team debut against Bournemouth last year.
He went on to make 25 appearances last season and United spies were present during last weekend’s 4-2 home defeat to Chelsea – which saw him get on the scoresheet.
McNeil made his debut for the England Under-21s this year in the 2-2 draw with Slovenia in Maribor last month.
Burnley handed the schemer a new three-year contract back in January – with the option of a further 12 months to extend on their side.
The Clarets starlet, who has scored four goals in 38 appearances across all competitions for the club, is making decent strides and sources at United have been quick to take note as they have already taken in a number of his games.
The Red Devils’ interest at this stage is likely to be a ‘watching brief’ – having paid £20m in the summer to sign fellow teenage left winger Daniel James from Swansea City.
It could well be that United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer simply has one eye towards the future, having noted how Pep Guardiola’s favours utilising inverted wingers across the road at Manchester City.
McNeil is still raw but his pace and trickery has also seen the likes of Leicester City and Liverpool mentioned as possible suitors since his Premier League emergence.
United’s power brokers are embarked on a mission to recruit the best homegrown talents, as they try to return the club back to the English summit, viewing McNeil as one to watch for now.
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