The Pressure of the Manchester United Shirt

Angel Gomes, once a promising talent at Manchester United, has carved out a successful career beyond the confines of Old Trafford. In an exclusive interview with BBC Sport, Gomes opened up about the immense pressure that comes with wearing the iconic Manchester United shirt and how it impacted his journey.

Early Days at Manchester United

Gomes joined Manchester United at the age of six and quickly rose through the ranks of the club's academy. At 16 years and 263 days old, he made his senior debut, becoming the youngest player to represent the club since Duncan Edwards in 1953. The hype surrounding Gomes was immense, but the pressure to live up to the expectations of the United shirt was equally daunting.

The Weight of the Shirt

"From the moment you step into the place, the coaches are telling you about the history of the club," Gomes explains. "The Busby Babes, George Best, Bobby Charlton – the culture is set early. You know everything about the club and what it represents. It's just something that you carry."

Gomes recalls the 'black boot policy' at United's academy, which banned colorful boots. "You would play against other teams and they'd be wearing colorful boots that you wanted to wear, because your idols wore colorful boots," he says. "But thinking about it now, it was perfect because they wanted everyone to be the same."

Moving On: Lille and Marseille

After making just five substitute Premier League appearances, Gomes left United in 2020 for Lille. His time in France proved to be a turning point in his career. "It was obviously a difficult process because there are a lot of things that pull you towards staying," Gomes recalls. "But then you have to think about what is right for your career. There were a lot of things I sacrificed."

Gomes' decision to leave Manchester United has paid off. He has made over 100 senior appearances, including Champions League experience, and is now set to join Marseille, who are bound for the Champions League.

Reflections on Success

Gomes doesn't necessarily agree with the notion that players benefit from being free of the weight of the United shirt. "I think some do," he says. "Players may have been intimidated or not really know about the weight, what it carries and what it takes. But ultimately, sometimes, it's down to environment, timing and having the right things in place to help you."

England Recognition

Gomes has earned four caps for England, all under interim manager Lee Carsley. Despite suggestions of favoritism, Gomes is determined to prove his worth. "It was difficult to hear people saying it was a favour because I knew personally it wasn't," he says. "There was a lot of work for me to get to that point."

As Gomes prepares for his second consecutive season in the Champions League, his dream of playing in a World Cup for England remains alive. His journey is a testament to the resilience and determination required to succeed in the world of football.