Former Manchester United player opens up on why players fail at Old Trafford

In recent years, Manchester United have become a testing ground where talented players have struggled to thrive. Some fans have even gone so far as to call Old Trafford a graveyard for gifted footballers. One former Manchester United academy player, Angel Gomes, has opened up about the challenges players face and why they fail at Old Trafford despite performing well elsewhere.

Speaking to the media, Angel Gomes mentioned that players often get intimidated by the stature of the club and don’t fully grasp the weight of the shirt they wear when they join Manchester United. He also pointed out that most youngsters don’t truly understand what it takes to become a Manchester United player. He said:

Players may have been intimidated or not really know about the weight, what it carries and what it takes,

Angel Gomes mentioned that timing and environment play a crucial role in a young player's development. He noted that some players have left the club and found success elsewhere, while others who happened to be in the right place at the right time at Manchester United also managed to succeed. Gomes opined:

But ultimately, sometimes, it's down to environment, timing and having the right things in place to help you. Some players who have left and gone on to do better than when they were at United, there might be things in place at that certain club, at that moment in time, that helped them succeed.

Angel Gomes also pointed out that success and failure at a club like Manchester United are not binary. He emphasized that the situation is far more complex and called out players for not stepping up when they wear the Manchester United shirt. He said:

Sometimes it's not as black and white as they failed or they've not held their own there because of the weight of the shirt.

What is Angel Gomes doing currently?

After leaving Manchester United, Angel Gomes joined French outfit LOSC Lille. Following a loan spell with Boavista, he spent four seasons with Lille before running down his contract. He is set to play for Olympique Marseille in the upcoming season, having agreed to join the French side on a Bosman transfer.