2 potential impacts on Ipswich Town if they sign Charlie McNeill from Man United | OneFootball

Ipswich Town are one of a number of teams that are interested in signing Manchester United forward Charlie McNeill on loan this month, as reported exclusively by Football League World.

It has been reported that the expected arrival of Wout Weghorst this month, means United will be willing to sanction a temporary exit for McNeill this month, as they want the 19-year-old to gain first team experience somewhere.

Sources have told FLW, that League One side Ipswich are one of the interested sides as they have a connection with Old Trafford, as manager Kieran McKenna spent time coaching there and will have come across McNeill in the youth academy.

As we wait to see what materialises with this deal, here at FLW, we have taken a look at two potential impacts on Ipswich Town if they were to sign Charlie McNeill this month…

Added competition

The Tractor Boys are already a side that is well stocked in the attacking department of the squad.

McKenna is already able to call up Freddie Ladapo, Kayden Jackson, Gassan Ahadme, Tyreece John-Jules, and Conor Chaplin. Plus, don’t forget that Ipswich have already signed George Hirst and Nathan Broadhead this month as well, meaning if there is a position in the Ipswich team you wouldn’t think needs strengthening, it is up front.

Hirst as joined the League One side on loan from Leicester City for the rest of the season and Broadhead has seen his spell at Wigan cut short and then sold to Ipswich on a permanent basis from Premier League side Everton.

Therefore, you would expect these two players to have an important role in McKenna’s team this season, so if they were to also sign McNeill this month, this would be serious competition in the side’s attacking line up.

Maybe this is something McKenna wants, as he wants to build a winning team, and maybe the added competition for positions will keep players on their toes and give him plenty of options for the rest of the campaign.

Quiz: Can you name which club Ipswich Town signed these 22 players from?

1 of 22

John Wark (1988)

Arsenal Liverpool Man Utd Newcastle

A striking departure is possible

As just mentioned, Ipswich already have a bundle of options in the final third, and with the potential of another addition in McNeill, this could mean they are overstocked in that area.

Therefore, McKenna and Ipswich may look to offload one or two attackers before the close of the transfer window.

Tyreece John-Jules is currently out injured and is expected to be out until the beginning of March. Furthermore, he is on loan from Premier League side Arsenal, so unless either club decides to cancel the loan, you would expect the 21-year-old to remain at Portman Road for the season.

However, two players who have struggled for regular action this season are Jackson and Ahadme. Both players have been on the fringes of McKenna’s team, with them appearing more off the bench than they have started.

Jackson’s contract expires in the summer of 2024, and with him not being as prolific and regular under McKenna, it could be a possibility that Ipswich look to move Jackson on either in this window or the summer one.

While for Ahadme, he joined the Tractor Boys in the summer from Burton Albion but has really struggled to put his stamp on his new club, with him only making 12 appearances in the league so far and only managing three goals. The 22-year-old still has two years left on his deal, and at his young age, Ipswich may look to let the striker depart on a temporary basis this month so he can get some regular minutes under his belt.