Dwight McNeil of Everton sends a strong message to Manchester United.
The Everton winger was released by Manchester United at the age of 14 and went on to carve out a name for himself at Burnley.
Following their defeat to fierce rivals Manchester City last weekend, Everton player Dwight McNeil believes it is a good time for his side to face Manchester United.
Pep Guardiola’s players put the Reds to the sword on Sunday, with United conceding six goals at the Etihad Stadium. On Thursday evening, Erik ten Hag’s team did manage to keep the ship afloat against Omonia Nicosia.
Despite falling behind against the run of play, United’s second-half substitutes Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial turned the game around. Despite the fact that the Reds have returned to winning ways, McNeil believes that now is the greatest time to play Ten Hag’s men.
“We look at the players rather than their transfer fees,” McNeil told the Daily Mail. “We try to assess their strengths and weaknesses and how we can exploit what they are not good at.” There will be no sense of inferiority.
“Every Premier League team has top players.” We support United. We already know what we want.
“We’re playing United at a terrific time. Obviously, they had a difficult game at the weekend.”
McNeil has a personal connection to the club, having been released when he was 14 years old. He’s made a name for himself outside of Old Trafford, and the 22-year-old detailed how the Reds’ choice has influenced him.
“My dad was a United fan, and so was I,” he explained. “I went there when I was five years old, but when I was 14, the coaches told my parents I was released, and they told me on the way home in the car.”
“It was difficult for me to accept, and my parents’ main concern was that I was okay.” United informed us in March that I could stay until the end of the season, but we decided it was best if I left immediately, so I went on a six-week trial with Burnley.
“I think the feeling was to try to prove the people who made the decision wrong, and I believe I succeeded.” Burnley was a huge assistance to me. While the quality wasn’t as outstanding, the players were faster and stronger, and I was in the first-team locker room at the age of 17.
“Getting released by United was difficult at the time, but looking back, I have no regrets.”
United will play at Goodison Park on Sunday at 7 p.m.
