England new boy Angel Gomes says it was a ‘difficult’ call leaving Manchester United but a decision he felt he had to make to better himself as both a player and a person.
The 24-year-old midfielder joined United at the age of just six and was tipped for a big future at Old Trafford as he rose through the club’s academy ranks.
In May 2017, a 16-year-old Gomes made his first-team debut as a replacement for Wayne Rooney against Crystal Palace to become the youngest player to represent the Red Devils since the great Duncan Edwards.
However, Gomes would go on to make just nine more appearances for his boyhood team before completing a move to Ligue 1 outfit Lille four years ago.
Since returning from an eye-catching season-long loan with Boavista in Portugal, Gomes has established himself as a key player for Lille and he was rewarded with his first senior England call-up last week.
A surprise selection in Lee Carsley’s squad, Gomes will no doubt be desperate to make his international debut over the coming days as the Three Lions get their Nations League campaign underway against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.
Facing the media this afternoon, Gomes said the position he now finds himself in justifies the tough decisions he has had to make at the start of his career.
‘When I left [Manchester United] it was more for the idea to better myself, better myself as player and obviously as a person going through the journey that I went through,’ Gomes told reporters.
‘I knew that eventually I would be able to create a pathway for myself to be able to be in this position that I’m in now.
‘It was difficult obviously leaving the club that I was at from six and heading into the unknown really for me personally.
‘From then it has been an uphill trajectory but also with a lot of difficulties and difficult moments going through. But being in this position now makes everything all worth it.’
Gomes revealed that he was placed on an extended shortlist of players under consideration for Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad earlier this summer.
‘Believe it or not, I was pre-selected in the group of a lot of players,’ he added.
‘Whenever the squad was getting announced I would get the email. But obviously you get told whether you get a phone call or you’ll know whether you’re in the squad or not.
‘I missed it a lot of the times but I knew if I kept going that sooner or later I would be able to create a pathway for myself.
‘I’m just thankful that I’m here now and I’m able to showcase myself.
‘I just didn’t quite make the group but it’s always fuel to keep going.’
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