Angel Gomes used to watch Man Utd cult hero who became his ‘idol,’ he would ‘even practice’ his iconic celebration

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Angel Gomes has opened up on the influence of one Manchester United cult hero and how he became a “natural” in one area because of his help.

The 24-year-old former Manchester United midfielder started his career in the club’s youth academy and made 10 senior first-team appearances for the Red Devils.

However, Angel Gomes struggled to secure regular first-team minutes at Old Trafford and the midfielder left United and signed for Lille in 2020.

Gomes was loaned out to Portuguese side Boavista during his spell with Lille, but the former United player has reinvented himself at the Ligue 1 club.

The Lille star has made 118 appearances for the French club and scored eight times and registered 18 assists during his spell so far.

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Gomes on his Man Utd idol

Angel Gomes’ success at Lille has resulted in the former Manchester United player being called up to the England squad for the September international break.

Lee Carsley took charge of England after Gareth Southgate stepped down as Three Lions boss following Euro 2024 in Germany in the summer.

The England interim manager has spoken highly of Gomes, who has represented the Three Lions at youth level in his career.

Gomes has now opened up about his connection with United and the impact that Red Devils cult hero Nani had on him.

The Lille player revealed that he would “even practice” Nani’s trademark backflip celebration and would play football with the former United winger.

“Nani used to be my idol,” he said, as per The Daily Mail.

“I used to watch him and even practice his backflips on the trampoline.

“He used to invite me and my brother round to his house to play football in the back garden, and show me how to hit the ball against a wall with either foot over and over again until it became natural.”

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Interim England boss Carsley on Gomes

England fell short of the Henri Delaunay at Euro 2024 after Gareth Southgate’s men suffered a 2-1 defeat to Spain at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

Lee Carsley will now oversee England’s Nations League matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland during the September international break.

Speaking on Gomes’ England call-up, Carsley said: “Angel is very technical, he controls the game with his skill and his technique.

“He is very determined, has a great attitude and loves football. I think he is a player people will be excited to see.”