Suman Chakravorty: The FIFA U17 World Cup might be the stage to showcase the the arrival of Manchester United’s new wonder-kid Angel Gomes, who clinched the prestigious United Youth Team Player of the Year award this season and has immediately been thrust into the first team. The new sensation has all the possibilities to make the world cup very much his own for England.
The teenager, who is just 16 years of age has followed the traditions of United legends Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Phil Neville and of course United’s present attacking spearhead Marcus Rashford, in winning the award named after United legend Sir Matt Busby’s assistant manager Jimmy Murphy.
When he made it onto the field against Crystal Palace in the last game of the Premier League, Angel Gomes fell just 78 days short of Duncan Edwards’ mark of 16 years and 185 days at the time of making his league debut for Manchester United.
It was never easy for a player so young to be mentioned in such company, but it does say a lot about the English youth star’s quality that Jose Mourinho was ready to call him up at such a tender age. As the Portuguese boss made it clear he was ready to shuffle his pack extensively just three days ahead of United’s Europa League final against Ajax, it was Gomes’ name which courted the greatest attention among the youngsters who jostled for position in the match-day squad.
The talent:
Gomes’ potential has built himself a phenomenal reputation at Carrington and while his diminutive frame is the first thing many will notice in India in the U17 World Cup. His majestic ball control and quick feet have the ability to mesmerize onlookers.
His 12 goals in 19 games have helped lead United to a decent finish in the top group of the end-of-season play-off system at U18 level.
The background:
The wonder-kid comes from a family with quite the footballing background with his father, Gil, being a former Portuguese under-20 World Cup winner and his brother, Rico, in United’s academy up until he was 16.
He is also the cousin of former Manchester United star, Nani.
Career so far
Gomes has been at United since he was seven years old and has always played above his age group, representing the under-18s when he was only 14 and became the youngest player to score a hat-trick for the club at Academy level in 15 years.
Despite being born in Portugal, Gomes has represented England at under-15 and under-16 level, captaining the latter in 2016.
He was forced to pull out of England’s under-17 squad for the European Championships this year due to injury.
Angel Gomes and his views:
Gomes was excited after winning the Jimmy Murphy Youth Team Player of the Year award this season. He said,”It’s a dream come true. Being a young age, it’s things like this you wish for. All the hard work you put in at the training ground – this is the end result.”
The Compliment:
Manchester United academy coach Nicky Butt too is excited about Gomes. He said, “It’s ridiculous. I look at the kids and they’re miles better than I was at their age – technically. Angel Gomes is someone we’ve got massive hopes for.”
Probable England squad for FIFA U17 World Cup:
Goalkeepers: Curtis Anderson (Manchester City), Thomas McGill (Brighton)
Defenders: Timothy Eyoma (Tottenham Hotspur), Lewis Gibson (Newcastle United), Joel Latibeaudiere (Manchester City), Brooklyn Lyons-Foster (Tottenham Hotspur), Jonathan Panzo (Chelsea)
Midfielders: Alex Denny (Everton), Morgan Gibbs White (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Angel Gomes (Manchester United), George McEachran (Chelsea), Tashan Oakley Booth (Tottenham Hotspur)
Forwards: Rhian Brewster (Liverpool), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea), Danny Loader (Reading), Jadon Malik Sancho (Manchester City), Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal)