Darren Fletcher drops big update on future of highly-rated Man Utd loan stars
Manchester United technical director Darren Fletcher has given an update on the futures of Tahith Chong and Teden Mengi as well as other highly-rated Red Devils youngsters.
The pair are both currently on loan with Championship side Birmingham City and were doing well for Lee Bowyer’s men before injuries curtailed their seasons.
Chong was excelling at St Andrew’s before suffering a freak training ground injury that sidelined him for four months.
However, the midfielder was back in action off the bench in Saturday’s clash against Huddersfield. He then scored for the club’s Under-23s a day later.
Meanwhile, Mengi arrived in January and was impressing before suffering a hamstring problem.
With the long-term futures of both players in doubt, Fletcher has revealed that the duo will get their chance to shine in United’s pre-season programme. The Red Devils could yet decide to trigger the extension in Chong’s contract.
Fletcher, meanwhile, insists that more work will go into accessing the club’s young talent that has been out on loan.
““I’m working closely with Nick Cox, as head of academy, to look at the long-term strategy for bringing players through,” Fletcher said at a fans’ forum event, as reported by Manchester Evening News.
Fletcher wary of putting pressure on youngsters
“We have to manage the balance between allowing them to develop and creating the right steps for that. Without piling the pressure onto them.
“Along with Nick, I’m looking at how we best use the loan system. We need to give academy players invaluable experience at other clubs.
“We currently have 13 young players and academy products on loan and playing regularly in other divisions or leagues.
“Hopefully we’ll see players like Brandon Williams, Teden Mengi, Jimmy Garner, Ethan Laird, Tahith Chong, and Amad Diallo reap the benefits of that.
“All of them are doing really well on loan. We’re excited to bring them back in pre-season to see how they fare with our first-team players.”
