CHONG KEEPING HIS FEET ON THE FLOOR
Tahith Chong is not getting carried away despite making a real impression since his elevation into the Manchester United Under-23 side.
The promising 18-year-old scored against Tottenham Hotspur on his Reserves debut at Old Trafford and has followed it up with more eye-catching performances. For the teenager, who was born in Curacao but represents the Netherlands at international level, he is just delighted to be back playing again.
A knee operation was required last season after he was injured in an Under-18s fixture with Everton but he has been outstanding since returning to full fitness.
"Obviously it's good playing for the Reserves, coming back from the injury as well," he told MUTV in his first major interview. "It’s been good to play a couple of games for the Under-23s but I’m still happy if the Under-18s or anyone needs me to play with them as well.
"Honestly, you miss it when you get injured so I'm just happy to be back after obviously being out for 10 months. I'm enjoying my football at the moment, that's the most important thing.
"When you know you're out for 10 months, you've just got to get on with it and do the work, while still enjoying it as well. Even when I got injured, my team-mates, straight away, and the staff were just brilliant. That made it much easier for me, as did my family as well.
"I worked hard on the recovery work and tried to do everything right, as the staff were instructing me to do, so I could come back as strong as possible.
"I think it depends on how you see it as, looking back, it was a year ago now and it's gone quickly. But, when I was injured, it felt like a long time. As I said, I’m just happy to be back now."
The next challenge for Chong is staying grounded in the face of such positive feedback about his performances, but he seems to have the right attitude and was honest when asked if he needs to keep his feet on the floor.
"That's the most important thing," he states. "As I've said, I'm just enjoying football at the moment and I will keep working hard and take it from there.
"I want to keep playing games, hopefully I'll keep getting them in the Under-23s and the Under-18s are doing well, top of the table, so, if they need me as well for whenever, I'll be there as well. Everyone at the club will help me. It's just how the club is built. Having my family around as well makes it a lot easier.
"Character is important and I've just got to keep working hard and doing my job. I'll take it game by game."
www.manutd.com