United fight to keep Chong from clutches of Europe’s top clubs

Manchester United are hopeful of winning the race to secure Tahith Chong’s future on a long-term deal ahead of Europe’s top clubs.

The 20-year-old forward is out of contract in four months and had Inter Milan, Juventus and Barcelona wanting him to follow in Paul Pogba’s footsteps eight years ago by leaving Old Trafford for training compensation.

According to sources at United, there is now “hope that offers from abroad will be resisted and the club can beat any interest”.

Keeping the Holland Under-21 international will be a huge lift for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s rebuild and a further sign of progress this season.

The United manager has blooded young players such as Aaron WanBissaka, Brandon Williams and Mason Greenwood, while Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes have come for big fees and settled quickly.

Chong has made 10 appearances in the first team this season, but his future has been uncertain while a new contract was not signed.

Inter Milan were leading the chase after tempting Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez and Ashley Young from United in the past two transfer windows. But there is hope securing Chong will be a sign the club will not have their best talent poached while fighting to get back in the Champions League.

United have also agreed terms with midfielder Nemanja Matic, 31, to stay next season on fresh terms as his deal was due to run out.

Chong and Matic are in the squad to face Manchester City today, with Solskjaer looking to mastermind the first Premier League double over United’s rivals since 2010.

“It is one of our challenges to close this gap. Definitely win our individual battles and win more and more games against them,” Solskjaer said.

“We are not getting carried away being unbeaten in nine because that used to be the norm and should be the norm here.”