Academy starlet Angel Gomes‘ contract expires on June 30 and Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed the highly-regarded 19-year-old looks set to leave the club.
Angel Gomes Likely to Leave Manchester United
No Success in Contract Talks
Solskjaer had earlier said that an agreement was “not too far away” and seemed optimistic. However, this morning he admitted that it looks like Gomes is headed for the exit door.
“I have not heard anything last night or this morning,” Solskjaer told reporters. “If that is still the case, the answer is short: yes (he will leave).”
Gomes has long been one of the most exciting talents the academy has had to offer, however, has featured in just 19 minutes of Premier League football this season. Something that may have been down to his reluctance to sign a new deal.
Tahith Chong had been in a similar position, though he eventually put pen to paper on a new contract at Old Trafford. He has seen just ten minutes of top-flight football since.
Interest From Major Clubs in Europe
To a club who pride themselves on their academy as much as Manchester United, Angel Gomes will be a major loss. He has reportedly been on the radar of a number of European clubs. They are thought to include Barcelona and Chelsea. With the potential Gomes possesses, he could well go elsewhere and show the Red Devils what they are missing.
What Has He Done to Warrant Any Interest?
The cousin of former Manchester United winger Nani has dominated proceedings in the academy for some time. He has long been the one player that the supporters could collectively point to as the future – before Mason Greenwood took the spotlight, at least.
Angel Gomes became Manchester United’s youngest Premier League player when making his debut at the age of 16 years and 263 days. He did so against Crystal Palace under Jose Mourinho’s management.
Interestingly, the star that day, Josh Harrop, also left United in pursuit of first-team football, though his suitors weren’t as glamorous as Gomes’ might be. He has made 80 appearances for Preston North End, proving his decision to leave to be the correct one.
Gomes was the youngest player to be awarded the prestigious Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year in 2016/17. Past recipients include Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville, Wes Brown and Marcus Rashford. Greenwood got his hands on the award last summer.
Gomes hasn’t only shown his abilities with the academy in Manchester. He was a FIFA U17 World Cup winner with England in 2017.
Departure a Shame For Manchester United
It’s been reported that Gomes doesn’t quite see a pathway for himself to get into the starting line-up at Manchester United. If that’s the case, you can’t blame him for putting his career first. It’s a shame this has happened at a club so keen for their academy to produce talent. Gomes has been at the football club since he was six-years-old and maybe a change of scenery can add to his chances of making it elsewhere.
Manchester United have released several players already this summer, but Gomes may be the hardest departure to take, especially for the fans who have been excited to see him on the big stage.
Did Manchester United do all they could for him? That may be something the club may ask themselves in regret for years to come.
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