Having come up through the ranks of Manchester United’s youth system, Angel Gomes made his first team debut for the Red Devils in May 2017.
In the last league tie of the 2016/17 season, United’s then manager, José Mourinho, gave the attacking midfielder minutes in their 2-0 win over Crystal Palace. He was 16 years old when he came in for Wayne Rooney.
The 21-year-old was tipped to have a career at Old Trafford, but he ended up making only 10 appearances for the English club, before leaving them as a free agent in 2020.
In search of more playing time, the England U21 international left United and joined Lille in 2020. He spent the last season on loan at Portuguese side Boavista and on his return to the Ligue 1 side, he has found it difficult get more minutes since the end of October.
Lille face Brest in the league on Saturday and Gomes attended the pre-match press conference. During the discussion, the player was asked to explain his departure from United.
“I don’t think the opportunity came too quickly at Manchester United. Things come when you deserve them. I achieved good things when I was at Manchester United, which I will remember all my life,” Gomes said, as quoted by Le Petit Lillois.
“I don’t think it was rushed, but sometimes there’s decisions to be made and you have to know how to get out of your comfort zone.”
