Boss keen to keep Gomes and Chong

The two youngsters have certainly played their part this season and are among the youth products who have benefited from Ole's faith in the Academy system.

There has been speculation around their future but the manager is keen to keep hold of the pair and persuade them to sign new contracts.

"Well, both of them are players we want to keep," he said at his press conference, in advance of the trip to Watford in the Premier League on Sunday.

"I think they're good talents. They've had a couple of niggles and injuries, so I haven't been able to play them as much as I would like."

Chong was on the bench for the Carabao Cup tie against Colchester, after scoring for the Under-23s on Monday at Reading, but Gomes missed out.

Ole has explained it was because the 19-year-old midfielder has been ill and carrying a knock.

"Angel, for example, has been ill now for a few weeks," revealed the boss. "He's had a bad ankle. But they're talents and they're Man United people."

Overall this term, Netherlands Under-21 international Chong has had six appearances in all competitions, while Gomes has had four, with both enjoying three starts apiece.

The young players are likely to continue to get minutes at senior level as the campaign unfolds, even though the squad is looking in good shape ahead of the festive period.

"We're getting players back," added Ole. "We're getting Paul [Pogba] back, we're getting Timothy [Fosu-Mensah] back, Eric Bailly back, Diogo back.

"So that's four extra bodies for us for the coming months anyway.

"Diogo's playing tonight in the game for the youngsters [an Under-19s friendly against AC Milan at Leigh Sports Village) so, from then on, he's ready. Bailly, Tim [Fosu-Mensah] and Paul probably need a little bit more time."