Gomes on life abroad, England and the 'weight' of the Man Utd shirt

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Angel Gomes is another talent that has slipped away. Transitioning from the safety of Manchester United to forging his own path in France, Gomes believes that the expectations tied to his previous club may have influenced some players, but he dismisses it as a key reason for why others have succeeded in different environments.

The England international has taken a route that diverges from what many anticipated for him. After joining United at the tender age of six, Gomes progressed through the ranks of youth football, regarded as one of the most promising talents in English football.

In fact, when he debuted as a senior player by substituting for Wayne Rooney at just 16 years and 263 days, he became the youngest individual to play for Manchester United since Duncan Edwards in 1953.

The excitement surrounding him was overwhelming. It appeared as if everything was perfectly set for Gomes' ascent.

Fast forward to the present, and he is charting a different course.

Gomes appeared as a substitute in only five Premier League matches before making his move to Lille in the summer of 2020.

Now, he is on the move again this summer after confirming his transfer to Marseille, a club aiming for Champions League qualification.

In an exclusive chat with Sport, the midfielder shares insights about his upbringing at United, the reasons he and others have excelled away from Old Trafford, the irrelevance of size in football, and his frustration at the claims that his four caps for England are a result of nepotism.

United upbringing

"From the very first moment you arrive, the coaches are sharing the club's history with you," Gomes recalls of his experiences at Manchester United.

"The Busby Babes. They show you images of legends like George Best and Bobby Charlton. The culture is instilled from the start.

"You learn all about the club's significance and legacy. It’s something you carry with pride."

Gomes’ memories of his time at United are insightful. He discusses the ‘black boot policy’ — a guideline in the academy that prohibited brightly colored footwear.

"You’d compete against other teams whose players wore bright boots that you wished to wear, inspired by your idols," Gomes states.

"But reflecting on it now, it was beneficial because they aimed for uniformity among the players."

During his development within the youth setup, Gomes shared his journey with contemporaries such as Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, Scott McTominay, and Brandon Williams.

Support was always close at hand. His father, Gil, was a footballer who made 19 appearances for Portugal's Under-21 team.

He also had his godfather Nani, who collected eight significant titles at Old Trafford.

"I always had family backing while growing up, but conversations with Nani and my dad had a different weight because I knew they had experienced it themselves," Gomes explains.

"Visiting Nani’s home, observing how he conducts his life, how he interacts with others, and his actions off the field — looking back, I learned a lot from him."

As Gomes approached the possibility of joining the first team, the weight of expectation grew. Anecdotes about first-team training at United are legendary. Intensity. Sincerity. Aggression.

"I was 16 years old, practicing alongside players such as Rooney, Carrick, Mata, and Ander Herrera," Gomes shares.

"Playing FIFA with these athletes was one thing, but being right there with them feels unreal. It's challenging to shift your perspective and realize you are actually part of the squad."

"I recall being in the academy and hearing discussions about those training sessions: if Michael Carrick sends a ball your way, will you be able to handle it?"

The burden of the jersey

Being a player at United is seldom straightforward. The concept of the "burden of the jersey" is often highlighted.

Consider McTominay, for instance—a player who fluctuated between first-team appearances at United before transferring to Napoli last summer.

One year later, the Scottish player has become a star in Naples, contributing to Antonio Conte's team winning the Serie A championship while establishing himself as one of Italy's top midfielders.

Gomes, once viewed as one of United's most promising talents, found a pathway to international recognition separate from Old Trafford.

However, he doesn't entirely agree with the notion that he, or some other players, are better off without the pressures associated with wearing the United jersey.

"I believe some players might," Gomes states.

"Some individuals may have felt overwhelmed or not fully understood the significance and challenges that come with it.

"But in the end, it often comes down to the circumstances, timing, and having the right support system in place.

"There are players who have departed and thrived afterward, and there may have been factors at that particular club during that time that facilitated their success.

"Sometimes, it’s not as clear-cut as them failing or not being able to cope there due to the pressures of the jersey."

Gomes is in a good position to discuss this dynamic. His choice to leave United for Lille, following a loan move to Boavista in 2020, has significantly shaped his career as a midfielder.

However, departing from Manchester was not an easy choice.

"It was certainly a challenging decision because many factors draw you to stay," Gomes reflects.

"But then you must consider what is best for your professional journey. I had to give up a lot of things."

Life in Lille

Having accumulated over 100 appearances, including experience in the Champions League, Gomes looks back positively on his choice to step outside of his comfort zone. However, that does not imply he was always confident about this decision.

"It was a challenge to leave England, but at the same time it felt invigorating. The last few years, being somewhat unnoticed, helped me to focus," Gomes explains.

Outside the English limelight, Gomes has refined his skills, finding ways to surmount hurdles that might have otherwise hindered his progress.

Standing at 5 feet 6 inches, Gomes lacks the physical stature of many central midfielders.

"It's challenging because I've felt the need to justify my style since I was young - I have had to leverage different abilities," Gomes states.

"When asked, I identify as a midfielder, since I can operate as a six, eight, or ten. In Portugal, I played on the left wing, as a false nine, or on the right. I believe I can position myself anywhere on the field."

"I’m a technical player; I enjoy having the ball, orchestrating play, providing support throughout the field, and receiving the ball in various areas."

"In that regard, Paul Scholes was similar. Players like Thiago [Alcantara] and Deco are just midfielders, not specifically sixes or eights - that's the type of player I aspire to be."

Recognition from England

Receiving a call-up to the England team last summer validated Gomes’s previous challenging choices.

He participated in the victory over Ireland last September and later made his full debut against Finland at Wembley just three days after. The Under-21 coach, Lee Carsley, who was stepping in for the senior team, demonstrated trust in Gomes’s abilities to create plays.

Gomes occupies a role that has been a challenge for England to fill. The scarcity of deep-lying, ball-playing midfielders led Gareth Southgate to begin Euro 2024 with Trent Alexander-Arnold, a right-back by nature, filling that position.

"It's amusing because I genuinely believe we are developing players like that; there are quite a few," Gomes remarks.

His control while playing for England has caught attention. Against Finland, he recorded 131 touches, more than any other player on the field, achieving a pass accuracy of 94%.

In his subsequent start for England in the Nations League match back in Helsinki, Gomes had 108 touches during his 79 minutes on the pitch, completed 97% of his passes, and assisted Jack Grealish for the opening goal in a 3-1 victory.

Nevertheless, Gomes has faced criticisms suggesting that his inclusion in the squad was due to favoritism from Carsley, whom he had collaborated with at the Under-21 level.

"It was tough to hear people imply it was a favor because I knew it wasn't the case," Gomes reflects.

"Before the last Euros, Gareth [Southgate] held a press conference where I was referenced.

"I recall receiving a near-selection notice for one squad. Initially, I thought it might be a prank, so I sent the message to Lee Carsley, who assured me it was legitimate."

"I understood that it wasn't a simple favor, as I had to put in significant effort to reach that stage."

Thomas Tuchel's hiring has hindered Gomes' development on the international scene.

He has not yet participated in any of the squads selected by the German coach, but as the upcoming World Cup nears next summer, the ex-Chelsea manager has informed Gomes that he is still on the list for England's team.

"We’ve had discussions, a few video calls, and some messages," Gomes adds.

"He is very attentive, always observing and providing support. Our relationship is excellent; I can communicate with him anytime."

"I haven't succeeded in making it into the squad [under Tuchel] yet, but it's something I am determined to pursue."

"My goal is the World Cup. It’s the ultimate achievement. That remains my target, and I understand what I need to do to make it happen."

After departing from Old Trafford five years ago, Gomes is poised for a second straight season in the Champions League, with his aspiration of representing England in the World Cup still very much alive.