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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Thomas Molloy

Masked knife gang threaten to 'chop up' Manchester United winger after storming home in terrifying robbery

The girlfriend of Manchester United winger Tahith Chong says she has been diagnosed with PTSD after an armed burglary at the footballer's home. A masked gang broke into Chong's Sale home at 3am and stole jewellery, watches and designer bags.

They threatened to chop the couple up, the Sun reports, and even mocked Chong's lack of security. The 22-year-old's girlfriend, Rianna Taylor, has now opened up on the traumatic experience earlier this year.

Nightclub performer Rianna, 24, told the Sun: "I started shaking uncontrollably and thought it was a nightmare. After a few minutes I realised it was real.

READ MORE : Young cyclist dies after being hit by car in Manchester horror crash

"One of the men threatened us with a very large kitchen knife and another grabbed Tahith by the ankle and dragged him out of bed. Another was holding a baseball bat which he was waving in our faces.

"He was shouting, 'Where are the watches?'. They called Tahith by his nickname 'Chongy' and were demanding to know where his watches were. He was saying he didn't keep his watches at the house.

Tahith Chong has spent this season on loan at Birmingham City. (George Wood/Getty Images)

"The blokes were terrifying and there was one in particular who was about 6'4" who was menacing and seemed like the leader. They were continually threatening us, saying if they found watches and we were lying they'd chop us up. They took our phones off us, then they took my second-hand Rolex, which was worth £3,000, plus my Louis Vuitton bag.

"I have not had a proper night's sleep since and cannot sleep with the light off. I have been diagnosed with PTSD."

The Dutch winger, who has been on loan at Birmingham City this season, was the fifth Manchester-based footballer to have been targeted by criminal gangs since Christmas. Teammates Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Victor Lindelof were among those also on the receiving end of similar robberies, as well as Manchester City star Joao Cancelo.

According to reports, the gang left Chong’s house after around 40 minutes and he hit a panic alarm. Police arrived in minutes, but have made no arrests.

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