5 Youngsters Ready to Break Into Ole Gunnar Solskjær's First-Team in 2019/20
Ole Gunnar Solskjær will no doubt turn to his youth ranks as he looks to transform his Manchester United squad ahead of the new season.
The Norwegian has brought in winger Daniel James for £15m from Swansea, before splashing £50m on highly-rated 21-year-old right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace.
There is more good news for United fans too, with Marcus Rashford penning a new long-term contract at the club.
The Red Devils' next recruit is said to be rookie Sean Longstaff from Newcastle United, as they target young, hungry players rather than world class signings.
Solskjær has been tasked with rediscovering United's identity, with the club losing their way since the departure of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
With all that said, here are five young players who could make the step-up to the first team next season.
Tahith Chong
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The 19-year-old was part of the United squad that faced Huddersfield last season, having joined from Feyenoord in the summer of 2016. He immediately started representing the club's Under-18s but had his season cut short when he suffered a cruciate injury in January 2017.
A regular now in the Under-23 set-up, Chong scored seven goals in 15 appearances, whilst also appearing in United’s UEFA Youth League campaign last season. He earned his first call-up to the senior squad in a competitive fixture against Juventus in October 2018, when he was named on the bench.
The youngster was handed his debut by interim manager Solskjær in the 2-0 FA Cup defeat of Reading, and is expected to hit the ground running next campaign.
James Garner
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Born in Birkenhead, midfielder Garner joined the United youth set-up at Under-8 level. The 18-year-old recently signed a new contract to remain at the club until 2022, with an option of a further year. He made his Red Devils debut in February, coming on as a 90th-minute substitute for Fred in the 3-1 away victory over Crystal Palace.
Garner is the current captain of England's Under-17s, and was a key cog of the side which reached the final-four of the Euros last summer. The youngster was was also part of the United youth team crowned Premier League North champions last season.
Solskjær has previously stated: "James Garner is a Michael Carrick but 20 years younger," with the youngster expected to be given the chance to shine in the upcoming season.
Mason Greenwood
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Still only 17, Greenwood is one of the most highly-rated young prospects in the youth ranks. He travelled with the team to the United States for their pre-season tour last summer and is tipped for a bigger breakthrough next campaign.
He started his career in midfield pushing through as a number ten, but has since evolved to become a centre-forward. The teen sensation made his first-team debut against Cardiff on the last day of the 2018/19 season, after he was thrown into the fray late on at the Parc des Princes against Paris Saint Germain in the UEFA Champions League, before a late cameo against Arsenal.
Greenwood will be eyeing a key role under Solskjær and has the chance to impress during pre-season.
Angel Gomes
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Having made his first senior appearance against Crystal Palace at the end of the 2016/17 season, the 18-year-old isn't a new name for United fans. The London-born youngster joined the youth set-up at the age of six, and developed to become a key member of the Under-18s squad.
Gomes was outstanding at lower levels and earned the award for the Premier Cup's Most Valuable Player back in 2015. He has also demonstrated maturity throughout his career so far, captaining England at both Under-16 and Under-17 level.
Solskjær handed the attacking midfielder his debut against Cardiff on the last day of the 2018/19 season when he replaced Andreas Pereira.
Axel Tuanzebe
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The England Under-21 international made his Manchester United debut during a 4-0 FA Cup victory over Wigan Athletic at Old Trafford back in January 2017 and spent the last season on loan at Aston Villa.
He could be drafted in at the back and would be a perfect option and a much better proposition for United looking forward than the often reckless but rarely fit Marcos Rojo or the equally unnerving Phil Jones.
United have previously been linked to West Ham centre-back Issa Diop, but could now turn to 21-year-old Tuanzebe as an alternative option. He has been compared to teammate Eric Bailly, and could slot into the back four next season, having helped guide Villa to Premier League promotion.
