With Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial injured, it’s time for Angel Gomes and Tahith Chong to step up at Manchester United
By Ali Akbar
Manchester United have confirmed that Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial are out with injury. This is the perfect time for Angel Gomes and Tahith Chong to make a difference in the first team.
Things have finally stopped going Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s way at Manchester United.
Not only did his unbeaten run since taking over as interim manager come to end against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League at Old Trafford, but he has also lost two key players in the process.
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Indeed, Jesse Lingard had to be substituted before half-time and Anthony Martial did not return at the start of the second half, making many United fans worried that they were injured.
These fears were confirmed by Solskjaer when he revealed that the two forwards “will be out for two to three weeks” in a press conference.
These injuries could not have come at a worse time, as the Red Devils are gearing up to face Chelsea in the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge on Monday and then arch-rivals Liverpool in the Premier League at Old Trafford the following Sunday.
These fixtures were already going to be difficult for United, but without two of their key forwards, getting a win in both games looks nearly impossible.
Unless, of course, Solskjaer decides to give youth a chance by playing Angel Gomes and Tahith Chong in place of Lingard and Martial against both teams.
The boss hinted that this may be the case, stating: “Angel and Chongy have been training with us all week, even the weeks leading up to this, so there is a big chance they will be involved.”
That’s music to my ears!
Our current injury situation reminds me of the crisis we had under Louis van Gaal in his second season at Old Trafford when he was forced to promote Marcus Rashford to the first time as all our first-team strikers were out injured.
Rashford proceded to score a double against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League and the same again against Arsenal in the Premier League – kickstarting his Manchester United career.
Can Gomes and Chong experience the same breakout success as their fellow academy graduate did before them? I sure think so.
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Do you agree that Solskjaer should give Gomes and Chong a chance against Chelsea and Liverpool? Or should we stick to the forwards we already have in the first team? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!