What Angel Gomes said about potential Manchester United return amid transfer links

Former Manchester United starlet Angel Gomes made his England debut over the international break and has been linked with an Old Trafford return in recent weeks.

Gomes, 24, was just 16 years of age when he made his first-team debut for Manchester United in 2017 against Crystal Palace.

When the midfielder replaced Wayne Rooney, he became the club’s youngest player in the Premier League era and the youngest debutant since Duncan Edwards in 1953.

There were extremely high hopes for Gomes, but he made just 10 first-team appearances before leaving the club on a free contract in 2020.

His decision to join Lille and then immediately head out on loan to Boavista was a brave decision and eventually got him rewarded with an England call-up for the most recent international break.

Gomes came off the bench for his debut against Ireland and then played 90 minutes in the 2-0 win over Finland, completing 116 passes–17 of which were played into the final third–and making two tackles.

United are keeping tabs on Angel Gomes

Despite his 2020 exit, 24-year-old Gomes has been on United’s radar after his stellar performances in France.

A recent report from TeamTalk states that United are “keeping tabs” on their former player and weighing whether to make a move ahead of next summer.

United recently signed Manuel Ugarte and up-and-coming midfield talent Sekou Kone. However, with the likely departures of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen next summer, further additions to the engine room will be needed.

This follows a report from HITC explaining that Gomes currently has no plans to extend his contract at Lille, which runs out next summer. Tottenham Hotspur are also credited with an interest in the midfielder.

What Angel Gomes said about potential Man United return

Speaking to L’Equipe last year, the England player opened up about his decision to leave the club he had been at since the age of six, and he was also asked about the potential of returning to Old Trafford in the future.

“It was a very difficult decision,” admitted Gomes. “In my heart, I wanted to leave, in my head, I was thinking of staying. But I had to follow my heart. I felt that I needed to take another step in my career.

“I felt that had I stayed, there wouldn’t be a lot of opportunities for me. Luis Campos [Lille’s then sporting director] and Lille spoke about their project and I believed in it even more, that’s what convinced me to move – the faith Lille had in me.

“Do I imagine myself coming back one day? Obviously, it’s home. I would love to come back. But you never know in football. I just have to keep my feet on the ground, and keep playing, making the most of it. I can’t predict what will happen in the future.”

Gomes kept the door open, but a return did not seem to be on the cards at that point. Now, considering his contract situation and United’s current midfield makeup, it certainly is a possibility.

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