ANGEL GOMES impressed for England over the international break.
Gomes, 24, stars for Lille in Ligue 1 after being let go by Manchester United in 2020.
At the time Gomes – then a winger or attacking midfielder – was not considered good enough to stay at Old Trafford.
He was the first player born in the 2000s to feature in the Premier League, was United’s youngest debutant since Duncan Edwards at the age of 16 and, according to former coach Paul McGuinness, was the best player at every age group as he came through the ranks at United.
But all of that was not enough to see him stick around, perhaps in part due to his small 5ft 6″ frame not being seen as suited to Premier League football.
However, following the move to Lille and a loan transfer to Boavista, he has blossomed in a new position as a deep-lying playmaker after Paulo Fonseca spotted something not immediately obvious to others.
On Gomes, Fonseca – who coached him from 2022 to last season before moving to AC Milan – 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.”
The Red Devils have long held a need for a deep-lying conductor who can bring the ball up the pitch and pick a pass with ease.
The irony is that on Gomes’ debut it was Michael Carrick performing that job.
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And with United failing to replace the cultured midfielder, in hindsight, it would have been a no-brainer to keep Gomes around for a potential Gomes-Mainoo midfield pairing costing nothing.
Instead, the club forked out £70million – plus £375k a week – on Casemiro, whose performances last season and at the start of this have led to transfer chiefs splashing £51m on Manuel Ugarte.
The numbers from last season compared to the Red Devils midfield and Ugarte back this assessment too.
Excluding club captain Bruno Fernandes, Gomes had the most assists per 90 minutes and the second-best chances created per 90 and passes played into the final third per 90 behind Christian Eriksen.
Gomes was also better than all United stars for successful passes, with only ball-winning specialist Ugarte having more per 90 during his time at Paris Saint-Germain.
Even for England, 123 passes against Finland with a success rate above 94 per cent further emphasises his ability on the ball.
That being said, Gomes does not come up well in terms of defensive numbers, with duels, interceptions and tackles not being his speciality.
However, the increased demand from clubs for security on the ball in deep areas which has led to the rise of more on-ball specialists over ball-winners, has spiked interest in Gomes’ services.
SunSport exclusively revealed that Newcastle were plotting a January transfer for the midfielder.
United have also been linked with bringing the star back home, an idea that Gomes has not ruled out in the future.
In November 2022 he told L’Equipe: “Do I imagine myself coming back one day? Obviously, it’s home.
“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.
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD showed his brilliance as Harry Kane’s brace saw England beat Finland.
Interim boss Lee Carsley maintained his 100 per cent win record in charge of England.
SunSports Tom Barclay has given their ratings of the England players…
Jordan Pickford – 6
Had nothing to do.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – STAR MAN 9
England’s best player as he supplied some beautiful balls from deep that on another day would have led to a glut of assists.
He did get one in the end, although that was more thanks to Harry Kane’s lethal finishing.
Ezri Konsa – 6
Showed his ability on the ball with a super ball through for Bukayo Saka on the half hour.
Twisted his ankle early in the second half, surprisingly played on before being replaced on the hour.
John Stones – 6
Played at left-sided centre-back before shifting when Levi Colwill came on.
Solid though not much to deal with. Now 19 short of 100 caps.
Rico Lewis – 7
In the right place to snuff out early danger from ex-Norwich man Teemu Pukki.
Came close to a goal on his second England cap when prodding wide after the break.
Declan Rice – 5
Lost possession to give Finland their one and only big chance which Topi Kesinen should have squared to Pukki, but instead fired wildly over.
Angel Gomes – 7
Wanted the ball from the off, just like Lee Carsley thought he would. Deliciously drilled cross-field ball to Alexander-Arnold early doors showed his range.
Bukayo Saka – 7
Almost scored and almost assisted in a lively display.
Unlucky that Kane was millimetres offside after the centurion had headed home the Arsenal man’s wicked delivery.
Jack Grealish – 7
Enjoyed being in the heart of the action at No10 again, as he did on Saturday against the Republic of Ireland.
Carsley clearly likes him – it will be fascinating to see what happens when Mssrs Bellingham, Foden and Palmer all return.
Anthony Gordon – 7
Caused problems down the left with his rapid pace – how we needed some of that in the Euros.
But did not have on his shooting boots as he fluffed a decent chance early in the second half.
Harry Kane – 8
Two blistering finishes took the centurion to an astonishing 68 goals in 100 caps.
Was denied the chance of a hat-trick in front of his family when subbed off to a standing ovation for the final ten.
Kane said he fancies his chances of reaching a ton of international goals – and it does not seem fanciful.
SUBS
Levi Colwill (on for Konsa, 61) – 6
Next to no threat from Finland by the time he came on.
Eberechi Eze (on for Gordon, 66) – 6
Raced on to yet another special Trent pass but could not loop it over the keeper.
Noni Madueke (on for Saka, 66) – 7
Looked to make an impact every time he got the ball on debut. Excellent one-two with Trent saw the Chelsea man tee up Kane’s second.
Marc Guehi (on for Stones, 80) – 6
As with Colwill, little to do.
Jarrod Bowen (on for Kane, 81) – 6
Played up top after Kane went off for the final minutes, as he has done for West Ham.
“I can’t predict what will happen in the future.”
Following his England performances, some fans also want to see Gomes return to his old stomping ground.
One said: “Cannot wait for Angel Gomes to play for my club next season.
“The deep-lying ball-playing midfielder we’ve been crying out for finally here. Mainoo – Angel – Ugarte. Now that’s a great midfield.”
A second said: “Mainoo, Ugarte, Gomes and another signing for the pivot would be elite.”
A third said: “If Collyer can prove a good squad player and Mount can stay fit (unlikely) We should let Eriksen go for free, try sell Casemiro and bring Angel back for free.”
What the future will likely hold is further Three Lions appearances – with or without Lee Carsley as boss – and a chance to show his stuff in the Champions League, including matches against Real Madrid and Liverpool.
By PHIL THOMAS
NEARLY two decades have passed since Roy Keane led Manchester United into battle for the final time.
It left a gap in the engine room that the Red Devils have never really come close to filling in the 19 years that have followed.
Many tried and some managed it in flashes and, although the trophies still rolled in for a time, there was no snarling, bring-it-on warrior prowling the midfield.
Until now… until the imminent capture of a man who views a 50-50 challenge like a starving Labrador staring at a side of ham.
For three months, United have licked their own lips at the prospect of a midfield marshalled by Uruguayan tough guy Manuel Ugarte.
Finally, they have their man.
Ugarte is pretty much a ball-winner pure and simple.
Rarely will you see him pinging 40-yard passes to split a defence.
But ending his days with half the reputation of Keane and a fraction of his silverware would still mean a hell of a career.
