Tahith Chong has ‘decided’ not to sign new Man Utd contract – current deal expires at end of season

Here we go again, another transfer saga involving a youngster at Manchester United who has yet to make a dozen appearances for the first team.

Tahith Chong is among a group of youth team graduates who have been in and around Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first-team set up since the Norwegian took charge in March, but the Dutch youngster has only played four matches across all competitions — including two substitute appearances in the Premier League.

The winger last made an appearance for Man Utd’s senior team in his side’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United in October and since then there’s been chatter from his agent about offers elsewhere, as reported by Sport Witness.

Immediately that sounds like another Paul Pogba situation developing, but Chong hasn’t shown the same potential as the Frenchman before he joined Juventus in 2012, so it would be bold to give him such a spotlight.

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Funnily enough, the Bianconeri is reportedly one of the clubs interested in signing Chong on a Bosman — his contract at Old Trafford expires at the end of this season — with Calciomercato suggesting Juve will ‘move seriously’ for the 19-year-old.

But perhaps more interesting, and something United should take note of if true, is how the report goes on to claim Chong has ‘decided’ not to sign a new deal with the Red Devils.

‘Pack your bags, son’ would be my reaction. Chong has done little here to prompt the club to bend over backwards for his signature. The likes of James Garner, Brandon Williams, Mason Greenwood etc, all have to get their heads down and bide their time. Breaking into the first-team at United is never easy and you need to warrant your place!

And, that is not something he has achieved yet. Chong looks like a player who would benefit from a loan stint elsewhere, as long as he’ll get first-team football.

It may be a good idea for him to return to his homeland — maybe PSV Eindhoven or Ajax — to get some minutes in Europe as well as the Eredivisie. He has talent but I don’t feel he’s quite ready to be playing top flight football in England.

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