Charlie McNeill was born on 9 September 2003 in Droylsden, England. He began his footballing journey as a Manchester United supporter before joining city rivals Manchester City's academy in 2014, where he went on to score over 600 goals at youth level — a figure that made him one of the most talked-about prospects in English youth football. In 2020, United paid a reported £750,000 to bring him back to Old Trafford, and he wasted no time, netting 24 goals in 21 appearances for the Under-18 side in his debut season.
He earned an FA Youth Cup winner's medal with United's Under-18s in 2022, and made his senior debut as a substitute in the UEFA Europa League against Real Sociedad on 8 September 2022 — the day before his 19th birthday. Loan spells at Newport County in League Two and Stevenage in League One followed, offering valuable senior experience before he departed Old Trafford on a free transfer in June 2024.
McNeill is a direct, goal-hungry centre-forward who presses high and looks to get in behind defensive lines. He joined Sheffield Wednesday in July 2024, marking his arrival with a brace — the first goal coming after just 27 seconds — in an EFL Cup tie against Hull City. He has since established himself in the Championship squad, scoring a brace in a league win over Preston North End. Wednesday will be hoping McNeill can translate his prolific youth record into consistent senior returns.