Meet the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer starlets eager for a taste of Europe as Man United contend with injury crisis ahead of second-leg clash at PSG
- Manchester United may give youth a chance in the second-leg game in Paris
- Five youngsters have been included in the squad amid their injury troubles
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men will have to overcome two-goal deficit to progress
A number of Manchester United starlets are preparing to make their European bow in Paris on Wednesday evening with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men facing an injury crisis.
The likes of Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard and Alexis Sanchez have all been ruled out through injuries and United will also be without the suspended Paul Pogba, who was sent off in the 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford.
Here, Sportsmail takes a closer look at some of the youngsters who may be given their chance to impress as United consider turning to youth as they look to overcome a two-goal deficit in the French capital to progress in the Champions League.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may turn to youth on Wednesday given Man United’s current injury crisis
Tahith Chong, 19
- Right winger — but he is left-footed so likes to cut inside.
- Born on the Dutch Caribbean Island of Curacao
- Joined United from Feyenoord academy in July 27, 2016
- Represented Holland at every level from Under 14 to Under 21
- Won United’s Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award in 2018
- Joined first-team squad for last summer’s US tour
- Handed his first call-up to the senior squad for a Champions League clash with Juventus last October
- Made his first-team debut off the bench in the 2-0 FA Cup win against Reading in January
- Made his Premier League debut as a late substitute against Southampton on Saturday
Tahith Chong (M) made his first-team debut this season and will hope to feature on Wednesday
Mason Greenwood, 17
- Centre forward
- Born in Bradford
- Signed his first professional contract at United in October 2018
- Top scorer in the Under 18 Premier League North last season, despite still being a schoolboy and eligible for the Under 16s
- Started in midfield before becoming a No 10. Now he plays up front and has 22 goals in 22 games at youth level this season
- Predominantly left-footed, Greenwood takes free-kicks and penalties with his ‘weaker’ right foot
- Scored a hat-trick to knock five-time champions Chelsea out of the FA Youth Cup in the third round
Mason Greenwood has been remodelled from a midfielder to a prolific striker at youth level
Angel Gomes, 18
- Attacking midfielder
- Born in London
- Joined United’s academy aged six
- Made first-team debut aged 16 in May 2017, replacing Wayne Rooney in a 2-0 win against Crystal Palace
- Youngest player to represent United since Duncan Edwards in 1953 and the first player born in the 2000s to appear in the Premier League
- Has featured in FA Cup and Champions League squads
- Captained England at Under 16, Under 17 and Under 18 levels
- He was part of the squad that won the Under 17 World Cup in 2017
- Former United winger Nani is Gomes’ godfather
Angel Gomes is a seasoned player for England at youth level and joined United as a 6-year-old
James Garner, 17
- Centre midfielder
- Born in Birkenhead
- Worked his way up at United from the Under 8s to a senior debut off the bench in the win at Crystal Palace last month
- His idol is Michael Carrick and the United first-team coach agrees they have a similar style
- England Under 17s captain at last year’s European Championship, when they reached the semi-finals
James Garner has worked his way up through the ranks and made his senior debut last month
Brandon Williams, 18
- Full back, predominantly on the left
- Born in Manchester
- Boyhood United fan, has been on the books since the age of seven
- Won the Premier League North with United in 2018
Brandon Williams (R) is a boyhood United supporter and predominantly plays left back
But PSG have the real deal in this superstar!
Striker Kylian Mbappe, 20, has 14 goals in the Champions League — more than any other player under the age of 21 in the competition’s history…
MOST CL GOALS UNDER AGE OF 21
Kylian Mbappe (Monaco/PSG) 14
Karim Benzema (Lyon) 12
Patrick Kluivert (Ajax) 9
Obafemi Martins (Inter Milan) 8
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) 8
Raul (Real Madrid) 8
Javier Saviola (Barcelona) 8
PS: The top English entry on the list is Alan Smith, who netted five CL goals for Leeds before his 21st birthday.
Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe, 20, has 14 goals in the Champions League — more than any other player under the age of 21 in the competition’s history.
