It says a lot for the prestige of the Manchester United academy that the glimpses of young Tahith Chong when the winger has been given a first-team cameo this season have been greeted with a great deal of excitement by the passionate fanbase.
Any announcement of his inclusion in the matchday squad routinely gets the people going pre-kick-off, YouTube videos of his youth team tekkers having been shared around social media; his debut this season against Reading in the FA Cup sending the roof of Old Trafford once again to show the desire and willingness to gift opportunities to the revered youth.
Him of the luscious locks was celebrating with the rest of the final XI at the Parc des Princes this week as the Red Devils produced an historic win over Paris Saint-Germain to send the three-time European champions through to the Quarter-Finals of the Champions League.
Chong and fellow academy graduate Mason Greenwood were of a combined age five years younger than opposition goalkeeper Gigi Buffon.
Reports are now suggesting that the 19-year-old Chong will be sent out on loan next season to grant him more first-team action (Sun), after having a baptism of sorts throughout 2018/19 after sporadically featuring on the bench, coming off for the occasional minutes.
Here’s three clubs United could decide to send him to.
Everton
It’s less than 40 miles down the M62 from the heart of Manchester to Goodison Park to avoid making Chong too homesick. Everton are gagging for some dynamism down the right. With Theo Walcott turning 30 before the next season begins, it might be time to exchange the winger for a younger model.
Fulham
With the Cottagers seemingly destined to sink back down to the Championship, that swashbuckling style seen in the promotion-winning 2017/18 season may return to this certain part of west London. Get out the 32-year-old Ryan Babel – the opposite of Chong in having a distinctly unimpressive haircut of late – get Chongy in on loan to boost hopes of a swift return to the top tier.
Southampton
Stellar reputation for developing and nurturing young talent, but extra fire-power is certainly needed for this Saints squad showing a great deal of potential under Ralph Hasenhuttl, with Nathan Redmond having to play in the frontline, and the perpetually injured Danny Ings of course unreliable despite his class.