Man United: Solskjaer praises Chong for FA cup performance
The 19-year-old made his debut for the Red Devils in their 2-0 win over Reading in the FA Cup third round.
Things could have been very different though as Chong was on the verge of signing for Chelsea at one stage.
Former head of youth recruitment at United, Derek Langley, has explained how he managed to sign the Dutch starlet and beat the Blues.
“Tahith was spotted when he was a 14/15-year-old playing in a tournament at Carrington. What used to be the Nike Premier Cup,” he told the Manchester Evening News.
“He had already been tipped by our scouts in Holland and basically I followed him at that tournament and then I followed him all over Europe.
“Tahith's parents would be the first to tell you that his form dipped slightly due to growth issues so at that time I just held fire.
“I carried on watching him and realised his form was coming back.
“He was on the verge of signing for Chelsea and I managed to convince his parents and the boy his future lied at United.”
Man Utd transfer news: Tahith Chong snubbed Chelsea to join the Red Devils (Image: GETTY)
Man Utd transfer news: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handed Tahith Chong his debut (Image: GETTY)
Chong was told by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to enjoy himself on his Manchester United debut and he impressed in the victory over Reading.
And the Norwegian boss was impressed with the youngster’s performance.
“He had two or three really good moments, as you do when you're young,” Solskjaer said.
“You don't run the game as a first performance for a 19-year-old.
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Man Utd transfer news: Tahith Chong impressed on his debut against Reading (Image: GETTY)