Is this the pre-season for Angel Gomes to make his mark?
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| Image from Metro.co.uk |
Angel Gomes is 18-years old, born in England while also having citizenship from Portugal. He is the cousin of former United player Luis Nani. Gomes joined United’s academy at the age of 7 and has made his way up through the age groups to where he is now, the captain of the U23’s.
As well as representing all the age groups at United, Gomes has also made the grade at the national level for England. Representing them at u16’s at 14-years old moving up to u17’s, u18’s where he was part of that famous youth team, who were managed by the now recently appointed Swansea manager Steve Cooper, to go on to win the youth World Cup. Finally, to now where Gomes is part of the u19’s England set up under the guidance of Keith Downing.
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| Image from therepublikofmancunia.com |
Even though he has represented England at youth level, it is still unclear if England will be his nation to represent at senior level or could he possibly be persuaded to follow in Nani’s footsteps and represent Portugal. With Gomes’s potential being well documented Aidy Boothroyd, Gareth Southgate will be stupid not to take notice of him and make sure he continues on England’s path.
Last season was a very productive season for Angel Gomes because after being a standout performer for the under 18 side in the 17/18 season and making that one substitute appearance for the first team under then manager Jose Mourinho. Gomes made the step-up to the u23’s and doesn’t only become a regular but was also named the captain of the side. He made a total of 16 appearances for the 23’s, scoring 6 goals and creating another 5, while also appearing in the youth team managed by Nicky Butt, where he got another two goals in that set-up as well. (https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk)
It was well documented that insiders at Old Trafford were very impressed with Gomes’s performances, but were more impressed with the partnerships and links he was creating, mainly between fellow attackers: Mason Greenwood and Tahith Chong.
Angel Gomes’s preferred position is attacking midfield and this is where he influences games the most as seen in u23 matches. Being 5'5", Gomes has that low centre of gravity put that with his dribbling ability and pace he is able to beat players with his quick turns and movement. While also having the awareness to create space for himself around the pitch.
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| Image from the Daily Mail |
Why could this be an important pre-season for Gomes? It’s defiantly not do or die for the young man because he will have plenty of time and opportunities under the new structure that United are creating, but considering Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his staff are looking to concentrate more on the youthful side at United. Put that with United being light in midfield at the moment and the uncertainty of Paul Pogba’s future, this could be the ideal time for the young man to show everyone at United what he’s about and is capable of performing at the top level.
However, if that opportunity doesn’t come this year, he will still have a big future ahead of him at Old Trafford with plenty more first-team appearances on the horizon under Ole and with rumours circulating about Nemanja Vidic possibly being offered the U23 manager’s role. It could be another opportunity for Gomes to learn and develop from the best around.
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