SOLSKJAER’S STARLETS READY TO SHINE
CARETAKER Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a host of talented academy players pushing for a chance to shine. Here’s the cream of the crop...
ANGEL GOMES, 18, midfielder
CAME on as a substitute in Solskjaer’s first home game to make his third senior appearance. His debut, against Crystal Palace in May 2017, saw him become United’s youngest player since Duncan Edwards in 1953. A member of England’s Under 17 World Cup winning squad.
MASON GREENWOOD, 17, striker
UNDERLINED his reputation as one of the brightest prospects in the academy by scoring a hat-trick in the FA Youth Cup win over holders Chelsea last week. Greenwood signed a pro contract at the start of the season after touring America with the first-team, and was on the bench in Valencia this month.
JAMES GARNER, 17, midfielder
ENGLAND Under 18 captain has had a similar career path to Greenwood, also signing terms after going on tour to America and then being named among the subs against Valencia by Jose Mourinho. Birkenhead-born Garner was in Solskjaer’s first squad when he travelled to Cardiff last weekend but didn’t make the bench.
TAHITH CHONG, 19, winger
THE youngster with a mop of curly hair is United’s reigning young player of the year. Curacao-born Chong progressed rapidly since arriving from Feyenoord in July 2016. He made his first-team debut on tour last summer and was on the bench against Juventus in October.
DJ BUFFONGE, 20, midfielder
STARTED out in the youth system at Arsenal and Fulham, but joined United after a trial in 2015. A left-sided attacking midfielder, Buffonge has scored three goals in 10 games for the Under 23s this season and was called up to train with the first-team squad by Mourinho in September.