Tahith Chong in action for United against Club America.

'The kids are having a great experience on Tour 2018'

Friday 20 July 2018 07:42

Over half of Jose Mourinho’s matchday squad against Club America was from the Manchester United Academy and that undoubtedly bodes well for the future of the club.

The Reds enjoyed a beneficial workout against the tough Mexican side in Arizona and secured a 1-1 draw in the process, after Juan Mata equalised to cancel out Henry Martin’s opening goal.

Our goal was inspired by some top approach play from Tahith Chong, who was substituted into the action during the second half alongside his youth colleagues Angel Gomes and Mason Greenwood.

All three of them gained some crucial experience from playing in the first team that will surely benefit them in the future. The same can be said for fellow prospects Josh Bohui, Ethan Hamilton, James Garner and Ro-Shaun Williams, who all watched and learned from the bench against Club America. 

With Joel Pereira, Axel Tuanzebe, Tim Fosu-Mensah, Scott McTominay, Demi Mitchell and Andreas Pereira also involved in the game, there were some 13 Academy graduates in the 23-man squad.
Mata: The future is bright for our youngsters Video

Mata: The future is bright for our youngsters

Juan Mata is full of praise for Tahith Chong and his fellow Academy graduates who impressed against Club America...

“It is very good news for the club and especially the Academy that we have so many kids with us,” Mata said on MUTV, while collecting his Man of the Match award. “I think they are having a great experience by training with us and the manager, seeing what Manchester United represents around the world and I think the future is bright for Manchester United with these Academy players.”
'I feel more experienced and ready' Video

'I feel more experienced and ready'

Demi Mitchell told MUTV that he has learned a lot from playing regular football in the last 12 months…

Jose Mourinho was also pleased with the performances of the young players in a match that he described as a “good training session”. Speaking on MUTV after the final whistle, the manager was asked to comment on the performance of Chong and his role in Mata’s second-half finish.

“Tahith was good,” Jose said. “He came with the intention to show himself and in a moment when we had no strikers on the pitch, after Anthony Martial had left, we needed people to create and have some initiative, which he did.

"The action for the cross which led to the goal was beautiful. He was enthusiastic and he had the confidence to play. Of course, physically he has limitations and when he has one more touch, and that body contact, he loses for everyone. But when he makes the ball move and when he attacks people one against one he has quality. He is a good kid.”

Robson impressed by the Academy graduates Video

Robson impressed by the Academy graduates

"I thought Chong looked really bright and sharp about his game when he came on," said Robbo about young Tahith...

Club legend Bryan Robson was also pleased to see so many of our Academy graduates involved in a first-team fixture. 

“It is a nice introduction for these young boys,” our former club captain explained on MUTV. “I thought Chong looked really bright and sharp about his game when he came on. He put a great ball in when Juan scored. There were some nice touches, some nice speed and some good energy levels when he came on. He impressed when he came on the pitch.”