Who are Brandon Williams, Mason Greenwood and the Man Utd academy stars hoping for first-team football vs PSG?

(From left to right) James Garner, Mason Greenwood, Brandon Williams and Tahith Chong among a clutch of youngsters in the PSG travelling squad.
Man Utd via Getty Images
Tony Mogan5 March 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 Paris Saint-Germain.

The interim boss is without 10 members of his first-team for Wednesday's clash in the French capital.

Angel Gomes, Tahith Chong and James Garner have all been included in match day squads in the Premier League over the past six days.

But with Alexis Sanchez joining that injured pack, Greenwood is another to make the step up.

Solskjaer has also since revealed Brandon Williams is set to make the journey over the Channel.

Who is Mason Greenwood?

Greenwood is regarded as the best young talent to emerge from the United academy in recent years - comparable to the Class of '92, Paul Pogba and Ravel Morrison before him.

Greenwood has been impressing everyone at Ols Trafford. 
Man Utd via Getty Images

His debut for the first-team would surely have already come in recent weeks, only for a frustrating knock of his own to delay those plans.

The striker, who only turned 17 in October, has bagged 22 goals for United’s various youth sides this season with Solskjaer deciding only a couple of weeks after his arrival at Old Trafford to scrap plans for the prodigious young talent to head out on loan.

Solskjaer is instead determined to be the man to hand him his debut this season.

Who is Brandon Williams?

18-year-old Williams was pictured among the United players heading to Paris with Solskjaer later explaining the teenager’s versatility at both right-back and left-back and his speed warranted his inclusion in the travelling party.

“He didn't expect to come but that's part of being here that suddenly you're called upon,” Solskjaer said.

Williams captains United's Under-18 side.
Man Utd via Getty Images

“That's why you're in the academy, that we believe in you and suddenly you have to step up. That's why we have good coaches for them, to make them ready.”

Williams signed his first professional contract with the club last April. Most of his football this season has come with the Under-18s where he has captained the side from left-back. He has also chipped in with three goals in 11 appearances.

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.

Chong was a late sub on Saturday in the win over Southampton.

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.

Garner made his debut off the bench late on last Wednesday against Crystal Palace.

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.”

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