Manchester United fans saw Kobbie Mainoo receive a rest on international duty but that meant an opportunity for Angel Gomes.
The international break is coming to an end and the focus will turn to Premier League action soon enough.
This has been a mixed period for Manchester United players with Joshua Zirkzee impressing for the Netherlands over the weekend.
Christian Eriksen’s Denmark form caused concern and Matthijs de Ligt struggled for the Netherlands in both of their games.
De Ligt was substituted at half time on Tuesday night, at least giving something of a breather ahead of United’s clash with Southampton this weekend.
That will be well-received by Erik ten Hag and the same goes for Kobbie Mainoo’s night off as England beat Finland 2-0 at Wembley Stadium.
Angel Gomes impresses
As Mainoo as left as an unused substitute, allowing him to rest up with Saturday’s big game at Southampton looming large.
With one Manchester United academy success on the bench, the path was cleared for a former Old Trafford talent to start.
Angel Gomes came into the side for his first England start, four years since leaving United at the end of his contract.
Leny Yoro and Marcus Rashford congratulated Gomes on his England debut over the weekend but he really impressed in his first start on Tuesday.
Speaking to ITV before the Finland game, former United captain Roy Keane suggested (10/09, 19:15) that he felt Gomes looked ‘comfortable’ against the Republic of Ireland.
Keane added that Gomes ‘doesn’t look giddy’ on the pitch for England, which was a compliment.
Keane believes that too many players look nervous on the big stage but Gomes seemed composed and confident for England.
“You know what, the first you thing you look at was he looked comfortable out there,” said Keane. “Obviously, the game, you could say it was dead and buried, but he looked comfortable out on the pitch.
“He looked comfortable in possession, he looked like he belonged out there, he’s had to go away and leave Manchester United, a big club, to go out for experience and get regular football.
“His body language as well, he doesn’t look giddy; some players look a bit nervous, but he looks comfortable and he looked full of beans, as you’d expect,” he added.
Gomes went on to shine against Finland too, with Keane suggesting post-match that Gomes essentially didn’t make a single error on the night.
“You hit the nail on the head, he’s busy. I’m not sure he made a mistake in the game,” said Keane.
Gomes justifying United exit
Long tipped for a big future at United, Gomes surprised and disappointed many by snubbing the chance to stay at the club in 2020.
Gomes backed himself with a move to Lille and has become a star with the French side after a loan spell with Boavista.
Now a fine midfield player who clearly has the trust if interim England boss Lee Carsley, Gomes is taking his game to another level.
Mainoo’s rise shows that United talents can still come up in the ranks and become stars for club and country.
Gomes took a different path to stardom and it has worked out for him brilliantly after a fine week on international duty.
Gomes is bound to have attracted major transfer interest off the back of his England showings and United surely have one eye on his progress for a potential return to Old Trafford one day.
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