Assessing Which Position Would Suit Angel Gomes Best at Manchester United
By Mitch Wilks
It's closing in on three years since a 16-year-old Angel Gomes became the youngest player to debut for Manchester United when he replaced Wayne Rooney against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford in the Premier League.
Gomes, who has been with the Red Devils since he was six and is the godson of former red Nani, debuted to an enormous roar at the Theatre of Dreams, who have been keeping tabs on the teen for years now.
He's developed a reputation for being one of the most exciting young footballers in the United academy, and perhaps the world.
However, it hasn't gone quite to plan since the debut, which was handed to him by Jose Mourinho. Fans would have hoped Gomes would enjoy more first-team minutes than he has since 2017, but injuries and a lack of opportunities have kept him out of the limelight for now.
Now 19 and with his contract expiring in summer, United must tie him down, as his talent as a playmaker in midfield is too great to pass up. He remains incredibly young and raw, but in a time where United transition once more under head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, his skill set could be of great importance.
With that in mind, here's an assessment of where Gomes can best fit in at United.
Number 10
While his height and lack of physicality poses concern, Gomes' tidy footwork and impressive passing range in advanced, central positions are enough for him to be considered a solid option as number ten at United.
In five Premier League 2 appearances this season, Under-23 captain Gomes has scored four goals and assisted once, all from an advanced role in the centre of the pitch, which shows he can provide the extra dimension in attack that gets a team goals.
The only issue is that United have just signed Bruno Fernandes, who has been a revelation since joining from Sporting CP in January, contributing to six goals in eight games from the same position.
Winger
Although Gomes isn't known for his blistering pace or physicality, there could well be a spot for him on the wing at United.
His aforementioned goal contributions show his threat around goal, but his eye for a pass is just as good. In his three Europa League appearances this season, Gomes boasts 91.3% pass success out of an average of 49.7 passes per game. And while it's difficult to rely on stats from a player who has been limited to cameo appearances, his performances at Under-23 level demonstrate his reading of the game going forward.
If United want to look towards counter-attacking football as a long-term option, Gomes as a wide option could be ideal in releasing the likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Daniel James with an accurate cross or long ball. What he lacks in pace that out-and-out winger James boasts, he makes up for with technical ability.
United need consistent delivery as they look to counter-attack sides, and Gomes' passing ability can provide that while he continues to develop physically. If he were to feature in the starting XI anytime soon, it would almost certainly be on the wing.
Central Midfield
A slightly more difficult option to consider, but again Gomes' technical prowess could prove useful in a deeper role at United, who have struggled immensely for a consistently well-balanced midfield as of late.
This one might be more ideal once Gomes gets a loan spell under his belt, but the option is certainly there. In a three man midfield, Gomes would bring agility, impressive passing over a range of distances, and his forward-thinking intent would allow United to break down teams from deep.
Just imagine a midfield pivot of Gomes and Fernandes protected by Fred, who has proved to be an immense option off the ball for United this season. The movement would be crisp and fluid, and forwards would never be short of good service.
The only stumbling block however - and this time it's more relevant than ever - is his height.
Perhaps in La Liga, or the slower Serie A, you could get away with such a midfield trio, but not in England. Fred and Gomes are notoriously small and would consistently get caught out aerially and bullied physically, and you can't expect Fernandes to get sit deep for 90 minutes.
Great on paper, risky in reality.