Dutch forward Tahith Chong has returned to Manchester United from his loan spell at Birmingham City following surgery.
The talented youngster missed the last two games for The Blues and now faces four to five months of rehabilitation.
Dutch Forward Tahith Chong Returns to Manchester United Following Surgery
Chong Can’t Catch a Break
For whatever reason, it never quite works out for Tahith Chong in his loan spells. At Birmingham City, he was in his third spell and probably his most fruitful so far.
His first period out on loan came last season with Werder Bremen but was ended earlier than planned with him then spending the remainder of the season out in Belgium with Club Brugge.
A title winner in Brugge, Chong didn’t feature as much as he’d probably have liked, certainly not as a starter.
In the Championship, Chong had probably found the league where he could learn the most. Having already shown significant potential against Football League sides in the Papa John’s Trophy, the 21-year-old was crying out for regular football.
Under Lee Bowyer’s leadership at Birmingham City, he has got just that. Chong had started 13 of Birmingham’s 16 Championship games this season – with him unavailable for selection in the other three fixtures.
Bowyer has often spoken positively of the forward that he has occasionally played in the number ten role behind the striker.
What the Club’s Say
Manchester United confirmed the news with a statement on manutd.com: “Tahith has undergone surgery to repair a ruptured thigh tendon, the operation went well, and he will return to Manchester United to complete an expected four to five-month rehabilitation.”
Blues boss Lee Bowyer added to Birmingham’s official channels (via manutd.com): “Unfortunately, he had to have an operation today, 16 weeks he’s now out for. Something so small as well, the way it happened. Standing on the side of the pitch, a five-yard pass into the pitch. No-one near him, no challenges or anything and he has damaged his groin area.
“It’s a massive loss, everyone knows what he has been like since he has been here. He has been a massive player for us. So it’s tough to take but the most important thing now for Tahith is he gets his rehab right, which he will do. He will go back to Manchester United now and they will look after him.
“He has been great here, we are definitely going to miss him.”
Chong provided three assists in his 13 games for the club.
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