Manchester United have seen Kobbie Mainoo become a star for club and country over the last year, but Angel Gomes has taken a different route.
Erik ten Hag has encountered plenty of midfield problems at Manchester United, but imagine how much worse it could have been without Kobbie Mainoo.
Mainoo’s emergence last season was a real bright spot in an up-and-down campaign and he even became a starter for England at Euro 2024.
Still only 19, should be a fixture for both United and England for a long, long time yet.
The midfielder started in England’s win over the Republic of Ireland on Saturday and earned praise from the English media.
Mainoo was also joined in the squad by Angel Gomes with the former United talent making his England debut in the second half.
Leny Yoro and Marcus Rashford respond to Angel Gomes
Gomes was just like Mainoo, emerging through the ranks at United from a young age.
Yet whilst Mainoo has become a first-team star at Old Trafford, Gomes chose to go down a slightly different route.
Gomes quit United in 2020, completing a move to French side Lille, where he has become a star off the back of a loan spell with Boavista.
Interim England boss Lee Carsley knows and trusts Gomes from their time together in the England Under-21’s and handed him a first senior call-up for this international period.
Gomes came off the bench against the Republic of Ireland and took to Instagram to share a three-word message; ‘dream come true’.
Mainoo himself showed his support in the comments whilst Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham and former United man Jesse Lingard joined in.
Marcus Rashford simply stated ‘deserved’ as he showed some love for his former United teammate whilst Declan Rice called Gomes ‘too clean’.
There was also a message for defender Leny Yoro, who left Lille and Gomes for a move to United over the summer.
Yoro simply stated ‘yesssirrr’ alongside a heart emoji, showing his support for Gomes just months after leaving Lille for Old Trafford.
Jadon Sancho added ‘proud brother’ with the winger – now at Chelsea – loving seeing Gomes make this step forward in his career.
Angel Gomes one to watch for United
The door may still be somewhat open for Gomes to return to United one day.
That may sound unlikely but Paul Pogba and Cristiano Ronaldo both had two spells at the club.
Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton even returned to the club as veteran players, so you can never truly say never.
Doubts over Christian Eriksen’s long-term future at United mean a diminutive playmaker who can operate in deep areas may be wanted.
Gomes fits that bill and he has certainly progressed his game since moving to France.
After such a long connection to United, Gomes may well be tempted to come back to Old Trafford one day and we would hope that he is at least being considered for a potential return down the line.
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