Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has called up a trio of teenagers to his squad for the trip to Crystal Palace.
Injuries to several first-team stars will see academy products Tahith Chong, Angel Gomes and James Garner travel to Selhurst Park, but who are the teenage talents?
Here, Press Association Sport takes a look at the three youngsters who have been excelling in United’s youth ranks.
Tahith Chong
Proud moment making my @ManUtd debut at Old Trafford. Dream come true! Thanks to my family, teammates, coaches and the fans for the support. It means a lot! 🙏🏾❤️ pic.twitter.com/MlyuhGOT59
— Tahith Chong (@TahithC) January 6, 2019
Signed from Feyenoord in 2016, the 19-year-old winger is United’s current Young Player of the Year. He has scored seven goals in all competitions for the reserve-team this season. Chong, whose defining feature is is lightning pace, was on the bench for the 1-0 defeat to Juventus in the Champions League in October and eventually made his first-team debut in the 2-0 FA Cup victory against Reading in January. Solskjaer said: “He’ll definitely be taking people on if he comes on.”
Angel Gomes
The cousin of former United winger Nani, Gomes has been been in around around the senior squad for a couple of years now. He actually made his first-team debut against Palace on the final day of the 2016/17 season, when he became the first player born in the 2000s to play in the Premier League. The 18-year-old, an attacking midfielder, made his second appearance for the club against Huddersfield on Boxing Day. Solskjaer said: “Angel has been successful with England Under-17s, there with (Jadon) Sancho, (Callum) Hudson-Odoi and (Phil) Foden, so, he has been a big part of that and I am definitely sure that if he gets the chance, he’ll do well.”
James Garner
The 17-year-old central midfielder has yet to make a first-team appearance but was on the bench against Valencia in the Champions League last year and Reading in the FA Cup last month. The England Under-17 captain is highly thought of by Solskjaer, who said: “Jimmy Garner is a Michael Carrick but 20 years younger, so I’m sure he’ll do well.”
