England midfielder Angel Gomes has explained that he left Manchester United four years ago to join Lille in order to develop both as a player and as a person.
Gomes, who joined Manchester United’s academy at age six, was highly regarded for his potential at Old Trafford. However, he made the move to French Ligue 1 side Lille in 2020.
Recently selected by England interim manager Lee Carsley for Nations League matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland, Gomes spoke to the media ahead of England’s match against Ireland on Saturday. He said:
“When I left Manchester United, it was about improving myself as both a player and a person through the journey I went through. I knew that eventually, I would be able to create a pathway to reach the position I’m in now.
“Leaving a club I had been with since I was six and stepping into the unknown was difficult. Despite the challenges and tough moments, the progress I’ve made makes it all worth it.”
