England newbie Angel Gomes has revealed he left Manchester United in an attempt to better himself as both a player and person.
Gomes, who was a surprise inclusion inclusion in Lee Carsley’s squad for the upcoming games against the Republic Ireland and Finland came through the ranks at United.
The 24-year-old made his debut for the Red Devils as a 16-year-old but would only make ten first team appearances for his boyhood club, and left to join French side Lille in 2020.
After arriving in France, Gomes spent the 2020/2021 campaign on loan at Boavista where he scored six goals and provided six assists in 32 appearances, but since then he’s established himself as a key player for Lille.
His form for the Ligue 1outfit has put him in with a chance of making his England debut on Saturday just 12 months after winning the under-21 Euros under Carsley.
Gomes addressed the media on Wednesday afternoon and explained why he decided to leave United.
“When I left it was more for the idea to better myself as player and obviously as a person,” he told reporters.
“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.”
Gomes is one of several of Carsley’s successful under-21 squad to get called up for the senior squad along with Chelsea’s Noni Madueke and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White.
After Saturday’s game against the Republic of Ireland, England take on Finland at Wembley on Tuesday.
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