I am happy I left Manchester United – but departing the club wasn’t pleasant

Many Manchester United academy players who experience playing in the first team come to a decision about whether to continue in their career or quit. A youthful aspirant chose to take a chance on his arm.

Angel Gomez (centre) left Manchester United for pastures new in 2020 (Image: John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

In a bittersweet milestone for the team, the upcoming youth debutant will be the 250th academy graduate to have played for Manchester United.

For the past 86 years, United has included at least one academy product in their matchday squad, and this trend is unlikely to end anytime soon. Erik ten Hag’s lineups now feature Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo as mainstays, while this season has seen the senior debuts of players like Dan Gore and Willy Kambwala.

Perhaps the team’s most valuable attacking asset right now is Marcus Rashford, and Scott McTominay is having his best season to far. Not to mention the 36-year-old Jonny Evans’ unexpected summer comeback.

Despite the numerous players who have achieved success recently, there are still some who have only made a few occasional appearances and have never fully made the transition. Over the previous 18 months, three players have left permanently: Anthony Elanga was unable to build on his breakthrough season; James Garner, Charlie Savage, and Zidane Iqbal.

If we go back a few years, Angel Gomes is a name that fans may still recognize. Before leaving United in 2020, the midfield player made ten senior appearances, starting just three of his six games the season before.

After making his first-team debut in 2017 at the age of 16 years and 263 days, under Jose Mourinho, the young player was expected to have a bright future. Many have chosen to remain at United in the hopes that eventually there will be a breakthrough.

That was effective for some people, but not everyone got the same result. Gomes had no intention of waiting to find out. Before the 2020–21 season, he moved to Lille OSC, where he has since developed into a reliable starter at the age of 23.

This season, Gomes has made 30 appearances, assuming a number of roles in central midfield. This season, the player has produced a healthy amount of work—two goals and five assists—and is just one appearance away from becoming a club centurion.

He has been thinking back on his time at United, for which he is still incredibly appreciative. He is happy, nevertheless, that at the age of 19, he made the decision to relocate to France in order to launch his senior career.

According to Le Petit Lillois, Gomes told 90Football, “It was hard to have to say goodbye to everyone on the last day [at United], finish training, and be surrounded by your teammates who you’ve played with since you were little.”

“I have to depart… Knowing that I would never return to Carrington made it a difficult moment to leave. I had only ever known this as my home. Getting all of my belongings back and returning home weren’t enjoyable experiences.

He said, “I was looking for more playing time, more consistency, and a plan for my future,” when asked why he made the decision to move to Lille. I went to LOSC, and they gave me a good project and a good structure. I have no life regrets. I made the decision to venture into the unknown, and I’m glad I did.

Speaking a year after leaving Old Trafford, Gomes discussed his decision in more detail in 2021. “It’s difficult to understand how difficult a decision that was,” he remarked.

“I still support United.” Whether it’s the first team or the Under-18s, I still watch every game these days. I felt like I needed a fresh start, even though I could have stayed and taken a loan instead.