Former Manchester United Star Reflects on Bittersweet Departure from Carrington with No Regrets
Angel Gomes, the ex-Manchester United star, has recently opened up about his departure from the club in 2020. Gomes, who had been with the Red Devils Academy since the age of six, was once considered to have a bright future at Old Trafford. He even made his debut at the age of 16, thanks to then-manager Jose Mourinho. However, things did not go as planned for the former England Under-21 star, and he became frustrated with the lack of playing chances in the first team.
In August 2020, Gomes decided to seal a free transfer to Lille, looking for more playing time and a better plan for his future. Although he initially went on loan to Boavista in his first season, he has since established himself as an integral part of the Lille team. This season, Gomes has played 30 times in all competitions, scoring twice and providing five assists.
Nearly four years after his departure from Carrington, Gomes spoke to 90Football in France about the difficult moment of saying goodbye to everyone at Manchester United. He expressed his sadness at leaving the only home he had ever known and described the experience as unpleasant. However, he also discussed his rationale behind joining Lille, highlighting the club’s good structure and project.
Despite his success at Lille, Gomes has not ruled out a return to Old Trafford. In fact, he has previously mentioned that it would be a dream to return “home” to the Theatre of Dreams. Gomes has showcased his versatility by excelling as a holding midfielder for the Young Three Lions, despite originally being a winger or creative ten.
Interestingly, Gomes also revealed how an encounter with Mourinho in 2017 left him on the verge of tears. This highlights the emotional impact that such experiences can have on young players, even those with immense talent.
Overall, Gomes seems content with his decision to leave Manchester United and pursue his career at Lille. He has found the playing time and consistency he desired, and his performances on the pitch have been impressive. However, only time will tell if Gomes will have the opportunity to return to his beloved Old Trafford in the future.