England star reveals why he left Man Utd despite breaking record

Tom Weber

• Updated: 4 Sept 2024 21:16 BST
• 3 min read

Newly-minted England international Angel Gomes has revealed why he left Manchester United in 2020.

The midfielder has become a household name in Ligue 1 but is still something of an unknown commodity in England. Gomes has been brilliant for Lille in recent years and this has now led to him becoming a surprise inclusion in Lee Carsley's first squad as interim England manager.

A product of Man Utd's youth system, the London-born 24-year-old made his senior debut for the Red Devils aged just 16 years, eight months and 20 days, making him the club's youngest debutant since 1956.

However, despite being Man Utd's youngest player in the modern era, Gomes would only go on to feature nine more times for the first team. He ultimately decided to leave for the good of his career in 2020, joining Lille on a free transfer.

After an initial loan to Boavista, Gomes has gone from strength to strength in France, notching two goals and 10 assists last season.

Gomes reveals why he left Man Utd

Speaking to the media ahead of England's Nations League fixture against the Republic of Ireland, Gomes, who also could have represented Angola and Portugal, revealed why he felt as though he had to leave Man Utd in 2020.

“When I left it was more for the idea to better myself as a player and obviously as a person. I knew that eventually, I would be able to create a pathway for myself to be in this position that I’m in now.

“It was difficult leaving the club that I was at from [six years old]. From then it has been an uphill trajectory but also with a lot of difficulties and difficult moments, but being in this position now makes it all worth it.”