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Manchester United suffered an embarrassing loss against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League. It was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first defeat as a caretaker manager of Manchester United. PSG played without their key players Edinson Cavani and Neymar but still was able to beat Red Devils at Old Trafford. Apart from not getting the desired result, United also suffered two injury blows.
Jesse Lingard was forced off with a hamstring problem minutes before the half-time whistle, while Anthony Martial had trouble with the groin injury and hence was substituted in the break. Lingard and Martial were replaced by Alexis Sanchez and Juan Mata respectively in the match against PSG. The new United front trident never looked in sync and was a bit off-pace.
Lingard and Martial were in fine form for Solskjaer's new rejuvenated United side, so their injuries are a cause of concern especially considering a hectic run of important games coming up. Not a lot of players in the United first team squad has the same capabilities as that of Lingard and Martial. But the form of Sanchez and Mata compels the management to look for replacements from the reserve squad.
Three Manchester United academy players that are most likely to get a chance to showcase their talent in the first-team.
#3 James Garner
Graner at the age of 17 signed a professional contract with Manchester United in 2018. The development made earned him a place on the 2018 pre-season tour to America.
Since that time, he is very closely involved with the first-team squad. The growth made rewarded him with a place on the bench for the game against Valencia in the Champions League. He was also involved in the match against Reading in the FA Cup.
Leadership is a skill set rarely found in today's generation of footballers. Players in the current era display a lot of individual brilliance, but rarely show the qualities of a true leader. On the contrary, Graner excels in this attribute. He is the captain of the under-18 England side.
He is a central midfielder, and his performances from the middle led him into the nominations for the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award this year.
#2 Angel Gomes
Angel Gomes made his debut against Crystal Palace in 2017 at Old Trafford and became United's youngest ever player to play in the Premier League. The 18-year-old already made an appearance in the Premier League this season when he made a cameo for United against Huddersfield on the Boxing day. He has also represented England at the junior level.
Gomes is touted to be one of the best United product. The teenager won the Jimmy Murphy Youth Team Player of the Year award in 2017.
Paul McGuinness, former United academy youth academy coach told Sky Sports, "He's a real talent. If he was Brazilian, people would be raving about him and, if he was six inches taller, people would be going mad.I suppose that's our country. People doubt players if they're short in stature but no-one is doubting Andres Iniesta or David Silva. He's got the potential to be that type of player and, in England, you just don't get many players like that. If you play him with better players, he'll get better himself and create chances for them. You don't want to build him up too soon but I'm sure they'll handle all that at United."
The ability to play in a variety of positions is his biggest strength. He is technically strong but also has the right amount of flair needed to beat players in one on one situations.
Nicky Butt, Head of coaching at the United youth academy told MUTV, "Angel has got the ability to play pretty much anywhere. He’s a footballer so everyone automatically thinks he’s an attacker but we like him in the pivot role to set up play and get the ball moving."
"He keeps possession and, in European football, keeping the ball is massive. If you don't keep possession in the middle of the park, it's going to be a struggle."
#1 Tahith Chong
On 5th January 2019, Manchester United came up against Reading at Old Trafford for the FA Cup third round clash. At half time, Manchester United led by two goals but the performance was not at all convincing. Then a substitution was made at the 62-minute mark.
The 28 minutes Chong was given, brought a feeling of excitement to the fans. United supporters always craved for an attacking right winger. Someone who could replicate the performance that Cristiano Ronaldo did for them on the left.
Chong was also involved in the UEFA Champions League squad against Juventus but never got the chance to show his talent on the field and was made to warm the bench. But Nicky Butt, the academy chief was more than proud.
Nicky Butt told MUTV, "Chongy has done really well and been one of the stand-out players when he’s played at this level."
He started his international career in 2013 by playing for the Dutch under-15 side. Chong can also represent Curaçao internationally for it is his birthplace. The 19-year-old joined the United academy in 2016 after leaving Feyenoord for better opportunities.
Chong is a left-footer who plays preferably on the right flank as a winger but is versatile enough to be deployed anywhere in the front three.
Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku and Juan Mata definitely will be preferred over these youngsters because of there experience and price tag. But the form of these senior players and a hectic run of fixtures will force Solksjaer to involve these wonderkids.
