How Angel Gomes has become Man Utd's PERFECT midfield transfer solution

Suraj Radia

• 12 Sept 2024 21:00 BST
• 4 min read

Few could have predicted the turnaround in fortunes for Angel Gomes but Manchester United now have the chance to rectify a huge mistake and bring home the missing link to their midfield.

Gomes made his England debut over the recent international break and starred during his first start against Finland, boasting more touches and passes than any other player on the pitch.

Despite Gomes having been highly-rated as a youngster, the London-born midfielder never got to show his true credentials to United, making just five Premier League appearances before leaving the club on a free transfer for Lille in 2020.

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Gomes was perhaps known as more of an attacking-minded winger as a youth prospect for United but he has reinvented his game in France as a deeper-lying central midfielder capable of dictating play and offering energy all over the pitch.

It is a style of play that United’s midfield has cried out for under Erik ten Hag and, with Gomes entering the final year of his contract at Lille, his breakthrough could not have come at a better time for both the player and the Red Devils.

United would face significant interest from the likes of Tottenham and Newcastle for Gomes but, having already admitted his ambition to return ‘home’ to Old Trafford one day, Ten Hag’s men could pull off a shrewd bargain next summer for England’s latest star.

How does Gomes compare to United’s midfielders?

Of United’s current midfielders, only captain Bruno Fernandes created more chances per 90 minutes than Gomes last season, while new signing Manuel Ugarte is the only player who completed more passes per game than the Lille man despite making far fewer progressive passes.

Perhaps the glaring question mark over Gomes is his stature, with the 24-year-old standing at just 5 foot 6 inches – a frame which could see him targeted by physical midfielders in the Premier League and being more of a ‘passenger’ in defence.

Compared

Angel Gomes

DM, M, AM (C)

Lille

Angel Gomes

DM, M, AM (C)

Lille

VS

Bruno Fernandes

M, AM (C)

Man Utd

Bruno Fernandes

M, AM (C)

Man Utd

2023/2024

Season Statistics

2023/2024

45	Appearances	48
10	Assists	13
67	Key Passes	162
2296	Passes	2533
21	Interceptions	38
42	Tackles	103

However, United’s purchase of Ugarte would certainly compensate for Gomes’ lack of physicality, while the England star has managed to utilise his strengths to minimise a weakness which has been held against him since he was a youngster.

Gomes was also singled out by former Lille manager Paulo Fonseca for his intelligence, who said: "Angel is maybe the most intelligent player I have in my team. He understands faster than the others everything about the game; he loves the game."

Ultimately for United, the ball is in their court to beat their rivals to Gomes and bring back a midfielder capable of providing a significant difference to their side, while also keen to take care of unfinished business in Manchester.

"Do I imagine myself coming back one day? Obviously, it’s home," Gomes told French outlet L'Equipe in 2022, via the Metro.

"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.”

Available for a bargain price and with a growing pedigree, all while determined to prove a point at Old Trafford, beating their rivals to the signing of Gomes could be the best move for United to make up for their mistakes and bring back a homegrown hero.