The Man Utd academy stars Solskjaer needs against Crystal Palace: Angel Gomes, Tahith Chong and James Garner

Gomes could make his fourth senior appearance tonight.
Getty Images
Tony Mogan26 February 2019

A full-blown injury crisis at Manchester United leaves Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with no choice but to call in the youngsters for Wednesday’s clash at Crystal Palace.

The interim boss is without 10 members of his first-team squad for Wednesday’s Premier League clash.

At least three youngsters will be drafted in to make up the squad with Angel Gomes, Tahith Chong and James Garner expected to make the trip to Selhurst Park.

Who is Angel Gomes?

Gomes will be no stranger to United fans. The midfielder became the club’s youngest player since the great Duncan Edwards when he replaced Wayne Rooney in a league match against Palace in May 2017 at the age of 16 years and 263 days.

Gomes could make his fourth senior appearance tonight.
Man Utd via Getty Images

A member of the England squad that won the Under-17 World Cup in 2017, Gomes has made two further appearances for the senior side; an exciting cameo off the bench in the FA Cup against Yeovil in January and nine minutes late on against Huddersfield in December.

This season the 18-year-old has captained both the Under-19s and Under-23s, having also taken on a new deeper midfield role in appearances for Nicky Butt’s side in the Uefa Youth League, returning to a more attacking role under Ricky Sbragia in the Premier League 2.

What Solskjaer has said: “I’m sure Ange (Gomes), he’s been in that successful team with England U17s, the 2000s team with (Jadon) Sancho, (Callum) Hudson-Odoi and (Phil) Foden.

"He’s been a big part of it and definitely shown that if he gets a chance he’ll do well.”

Who is Tahith Chong?

Plucked from the Feyenoord academy in 2016, Chong suffered a cruciate ligament injury in his first season in English football but has recovered to become one of the club’s brightest prospects.

The Netherlands Under-21 winger was called into the senior squad for the first time for United’s pre-season tour last summer and made his competitive debut for the club after coming off the bench against Reading in the third round of the FA Cup.

Chong has already made his senior debut.
Man Utd via Getty Images

With United’s wide options severely limited though the expected absences of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, Chong may be the most likely contender to step in under the lights at Selhurst Park tonight.

What Solskjaer has said: “He had two or three really good moments [against Reading in the FA Cup], as you do when you're young," Solskjaer said.

"You don't run the game as a first performance for a 19-year-old.

"But he got the crowd going, and has shown one or two glimpses of what he can do, he has in training anyway.”

Who is James Garner?

The youngest of the trio, Garner has come in for the highest of praise from Solskjaer, comparing him to current assistant coach Michael Carrick.

The 17-year-old has already worn the captain’s armband for club and country after signing his first professional deal last May and was another to be involved in last summer’s pre-season tour.

'Jimmy' Garner has been compared to Micheal Carrick.
Man Utd via Getty Images

He has made the senior squad twice this season – away to Valencia in the Champions League and Reading in the FA Cup. He will be hoping to form what could be another all-academy midfield under the interim boss on Wednesday.

What Solskjaer has said: “Jimmy Garner is a Michael Carrick, but 20 years younger, I’m sure he’ll do well and Chongy will be taking people on if he comes on.

“They’re ready, the kids, it’s a hard if you’re a defender coming as a 16 or 17year old but as an attacker you just go out there and express yourself, and there is your chance. They can win you the game not lose it for you.”

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in