How Chong and Wan-Bissaka became Reds

Manchester United youngsters Tahith Chong and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have been speaking about their unique - and very different - journeys to Old Trafford.

The pair are looking forward to the new season, which starts this weekend, but found time recently to have an in-depth chat with Inside United - the club’s official magazine.

In the latest edition, which is on sale from today (Tuesday), Chong explained how his path to United began at the age of eight.

“It’s a long story,” the 19-year-old revealed.

“I moved to Holland from Curacao (a Dutch island in the south Caribbean) when I was eight. I was with Feyenoord in Holland and, when I was 16, I moved to Manchester to play for United.

“We discussed it [the move to United] with my family, my mum and dad, and I think they felt proud as well. Of course, I had to move to Manchester and they came as well, so that made it easier for me,” he added.

As for Wan-Bissaka, his career began in completely different circumstances, with the youngster coming through the youth system at Crystal Palace.

The defender has enjoyed a whirlwind 18 months since making his Premier League debut for the Eagles in February 2018, and has emerged as one of the division’s most dependable full-backs in that time.

As a result, the Reds came calling this summer and Aaron has admitted it was an offer he could not turn down.

“I was excited,” he told Inside United. “A team like United being interested in me: it means something. It means that your hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“The move came together after the Under-21 European Championship in the summer, and it was only when it was practically going to happen that I realised it was actually coming true.

“When I got to the ground, I didn’t expect it to be that huge and that great. The staff were good to me,” he added.