Why Man United stars shine elsewhere revealed
Angel Gomes’s journey highlights how difficult it can be for players to succeed at Manchester United. Despite the club’s global reputation, the expectations can be overwhelming. Gomes, once a promising youth talent, became the youngest United player since Duncan Edwards and the first Premier League player born in the 2000s. Still, he only made five league appearances in three years. Like others before him, Gomes truly found his stride after leaving the pressures of Old Trafford.
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Pressure, Environment, and Timing Matter
Gomes explained that not all players who leave United have failed. Instead, he believes the success some find elsewhere is due to factors like environment, timing, and support. “It’s not just black and white,” he said. “Some players might not thrive at United because of the weight of the shirt. They may not understand what it takes or feel overwhelmed by the expectations.” He emphasized that players often need the right setup at the right time to truly succeed.
Proof from Recent Examples
Plenty of players have flourished after leaving United. Scott McTominay, for example, was let go but later won the Serie A title with Napoli and became their player of the season. Antony and Marcus Rashford also had successful loan spells away from the club. Even those who come through the academy—trained to understand the club’s values from day one—sometimes need to move on to grow.
Lessons from United’s Academy
Gomes, who joined the academy at age six, was influenced by his footballing father and godfather Nani, a former United player. He shared how the club immediately teaches its rich history the Busby Babes, George Best, Bobby Charlton—embedding the culture early. He remembers training at 16 alongside Rooney, Carrick, Mata, and Herrera. “It felt surreal,” he said. “You go from playing FIFA with these guys to being on the same pitch.”
Leaving to Grow
Gomes left United in 2020 a tough but necessary decision. “It wasn’t easy,” he admitted. “But I had to think about my career and what was best for me.” Since then, he’s gained Champions League experience, played in one of France’s top clubs, and received four England call-ups. He’s had conversations with national coach Thomas Tuchel and has his eyes on next year’s World Cup. “That’s the goal,” he said. “It’s the pinnacle, and I’m working hard to make it happen.”
