BOY’S A BIT SPECIAL

TAHITH CHONG

BIRMINGHAM CITY

LOWDOWN Ex- Feyenoord prodigy Chong joined Manchester United as a 17- year- old, before collecting the English club’s Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award in 2017- 18. The slender and skilful winger made a handful of outings for the senior team prior to being sent out on loan to Werder Bremen, Club Brugge and now Championship side Birmingham.

HIGHLIGHT An impressive cameo in United’s win at Paris Saint- Germain in the Champions League last 16 in March 2019. Chong replaced Andreas Pereira late on, showcasing finesse and balance in a famous 3- 1 victory.

THEY SAID “We’re pleased with the progress he’s made since stepping up from the academy,” said gaffer Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after the Dutchman signed a new two- year deal in 2020. “Tahith has great potential. Given his age, ability and work ethic, we can see he has a bright future at United.”

WHAT’S NEXT? Talented but in need of beefing up, he needs a big year in the rough- and- tumble of the second tier. A standout loan at St Andrew’s previously helped Jesse Lingard earn a first- team place at Old Trafford.