Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has called up a trio of teenagers to his squad for the trip to Selhurst Park – but who are they?
Injuries to several first-team stars will see academy products Tahith Chong, Angel Gomes and James Garner travel to Selhurst Park...
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
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Signed from Feyenoord in 2016, the 19-year-old winger is United’s current Young Player of the Year and has scored seven goals in all competitions for the under-23s this season.
Chong, whose defining features are his lightning pace and eye-catching barnet, was on the bench for October's 1-0 defeat to Juventus in the Champions League and eventually made his first-team debut in the 2-0 FA Cup victory against Reading in January. “He’ll definitely be taking people on if he comes on,” Solskjaer said with a twinkle.
Angel Gomes
Angel Gomes will already be familiar to Manchester United fans (Nick Potts/PA)
The cousin of former United winger Nani, Gomes has been been in around around the senior squad for a couple of years. 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 attacking midfielder made his second appearance for the club against Huddersfield on Boxing Day.
Solskjaer said: “Angel has been successful with England Under-17s, 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
James Garner has yet to play for Manchester United’s first team (Mike Egerton/PA)
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.
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The England Under-17 captain is highly thought of by Solskjaer, who chuckled: “Jimmy Garner is a Michael Carrick but 20 years younger..”
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