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Lee O'Connor on the ball for Stephen Kenny's Ireland U21s last month. Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

18-year-old Ireland star O'Connor added to Man United's Champions League squad

The Waterford-born defender could make Solskjaer’s matchday squad for the return leg with Barcelona.

WATERFORD YOUNGSTER LEE O’Connor has been added to Manchester United’s Champions League squad.

The 18-year-old defender was added to the set-up ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side faced Barcelona at Old Trafford last night. 

United were defeated 1-0, Luke Shaw’s 12th-minute goal ultimately settling the first-leg of their quarter-final clash.

But with Shaw suspended for the return fixture, O’Connor may be needed in the matchday squad for the Camp Nou clash.

The Ireland underage star is yet to be selected in a first-team matchday squad, but is now listed on the Red Devils’ Champions League squad on the Uefa website with the squad number 59 by his name.

O’Connor could play no part in last night’s fixture how and ever, suspended after picking up a red card late in United’s Uefa Youth League defeat to Midtjylland last month.

Last year, he got a taste of the Ireland senior international set-up, earning a first call-up under former manager Martin O’Neill for games against Northern Ireland and Denmark.

Manchester United v Valencia - UEFA Youth League - Group H - Leigh Sports Village O'Connor is a bright prospect. EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

Although he didn’t feature in either clash, O’Neill described him as “a very impressive young man” who could have “a decent future” in the game.

Captain last year for the Ireland U19s who have now qualified for this summer’s European Championships, O’Connor missed the recent Elite Round stage as he was promoted to Stephen Kenny’s underage squad.

He joined the Manchester outfit from Watford in 2016, and previously played for Villa FC in Waterford.

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    Mute L-Plate
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    Oct 7th 2013, 1:52 AM

    Yeah Robbie is seriously gonna terminate the germanian D line. Here’s hoping he slots a triple shot kick right into the goal receptical to send the crowd wild. Come on you boys in Greenbay!

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    Mute Jay Smith
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    Oct 7th 2013, 10:14 AM

    so what if its a poor league he is still scoring goals and tell me another Irish international who is scoring goal after goal for there club? let alone starts! bit more respect for Keane always puts 100% into an international game (not his fault service is poor!), top goalscorer and if anyone was gonna score against Germany its him! cant see a treat from anywhere else tbh!

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    Mute sean o hannrachain
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    Oct 7th 2013, 4:53 PM

    Anthony Stokes is playing and scoring for his club. Although I agree with your point, Keane is our best forward at this time

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    Mute colm buckley
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    Oct 7th 2013, 5:14 AM

    Yeaaaaaa,Germany are sh*tting there pants at a passed it player in a shocking league!

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    Mute Jesus H Christ
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    Oct 7th 2013, 8:50 AM

    The MLS is a glorified Sunday league.

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    Mute Hill 16
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    Oct 7th 2013, 10:50 AM

    I think the German team is a higher class than the teams of the msl. Be lucky to get a sniff

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