Reversing the Mistake: Manchester United s Strategy to Overcome a Five-Year Transfer Error

Compared to most, Manchester United has had greater success with their academy. Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, and Marcus Rashford are a few instances of this.

From his debut in 2016, Rashford has appeared in over 400 games for United. Now, Scott McTominay was a regular under Erik ten Hag before his recent move to Napoli, while Garnacho and Mainoo are important members of the Dutchman’s squad.

On the other hand, a list of players who completed the Carrington academy and went on to pursue careers elsewhere is available. Regulars in the Premier League include Michael Keane, Danny Welbeck, Andreas Pereira, Dwight McNeil, Dean Henderson, and Anthony Elanga.

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Mason Greenwood, who was expected to play a regular in the first team and follow in Rashford’s footsteps, left the team in the summer to join Marseille. With five goals in just three Ligue 1 games, the 22-year-old has had an incredible start to life in France.

One player, who departed the team early in his career, is finally getting the attention that was predicted for him, nevertheless. Before moving to Lille, Angel Gomes played just 46 minutes of Premier League football for United.

After his contract at Old Trafford expired, the midfield player moved to France on a free transfer, where he has established a prosperous career. Gomes has made 118 appearances for Lille, where his versatility in the midfield has made him a useful asset.

Gomes Angel
In 2020, Angel Gomes departed from Manchester United (Photo: Julian Finney).
Due to his impressive achievements, Lee Carsley was able to give him his first call-up to the England squad, where he may make his senior debut against Finland or the Republic of Ireland.

Many people have predicted that he will make a big-money move in the future as a result of his rise to prominence on the global scene. But in the summer, United could sign him for nothing if they were inclined to bring him back to the team.

The 24-year-old recently disclosed that he has previously declined the opportunity to play in the Premier League again. As of right now, Gomes is not going to stay at Lille much longer, so Lille’s only chance to obtain a transfer fee for him is during the January transfer window.

With a smile, Gomes responded, “I have… but I believe everything will happen naturally and at its own time and I am really chilled,” when asked if he had already received offers to rejoin the Premier League.

Thus, with football, anything could happen and it would make sense. You never know.

Gomes, who can play both deeper and as an attacking midfielder, may be United’s next midfield addition. At the end of the season, the choice that was made to let him leave for nothing could be changed five years later.