Angel Gomes had a hand in one of the two goals Manchester United scored against City in the Carabao Cup over two legs.
It was Gomes who intercepted the ball at Old Trafford, released teammate Mason Greenwood, who then slipped in Marcus Rashford to score.
It was a moment which could have been a turning point for the 18-year-old. Instead nothing has changed.
Back to square one
Gomes is no closer to a regular role at United, despite him making the most of the few opportunities he does get.
United have wasted the last few months, giving Jesse Lingard opportunities he does not deserve, and persisting with Juan Mata and Andreas instead of giving Gomes a fair chance.
Now the signing of Bruno Fernandes effectively kills off Gomes’ chances of game time.
Gomes has been overlooked for games against the likes of Colchester and Tranmere over the past few weeks, and was not even on the bench for last night’s game with City.
The 19-year-old has just 19 minutes of Premier League football to his name all season.
This was not what we had in mind in July when we watched him dance through Tottenham’s defence in pre-season to score a winner. He’s got talent, and it’s being wasted.
What we would like to see happen
The problem United face is that Gomes’ contract is expiring. On the basis of his lack of chances, why would he want to renew?
Yet United have to put effort into this over the next 24 hours.
The ideal scenario would see Gomes sign a new long term contract at United, and then sent out on loan for the rest of the season.
He needs to play, he appears too good for the under-23s at times, yet he is being judged as not ready for the first team.
If not for his unsigned contract, he may have been sent out on loan already.
An ideal scenario would see him loaned out to the continent, perhaps a Dutch or German side, with the option to make it an 18 month loan.
By that point Lingard and Mata could be gone, perhaps Andreas too, and Gomes can come back stronger and compete with Fernandes.
The way it is going though, Gomes is not committing, and he will be leaving in June. That will be a real shame.
- Predicted Manchester United XI v Watford
- Solskjaer needs to take another look at James Garner
- How do Manchester United avoid another shock against Watford?
- Three questions for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after Club Brugge draw
- Solskjaer says he had planned to start Greenwood over Martial
