Gomes should take his lead from Rashford
AMID the euphoria of England’s World Cup triumph comes a familiar response.
When will the stars of Kolkata get their chance for real?
Chief among those under scrutiny is City playmaker Phil Foden - but in Angel Gomes, Jose Mourinho has his own prospect to manage.
And comments from the 17-year-old’s father this week were a pointed reminder to United’s hierarchy of growing interest in a player tipped to star at Old Trafford.
Speaking to Portuguese outlet RTP, Gil Gomes understatedly describes his son as ‘really above average,’ adding: “And today he is a player coveted by all the greats of Europe.”
Barcelona are claimed to be just one of his suitors and the increasingly vast sums being splashed out on the emerging talents of world football will serve as a warning to United.
City’s failure to keep Jadon Sancho out of the hands of Borussia Dortmund is a case in point.
But United can look much closer to home when it comes to losing an academy prospect. Paul Pogba was the perfect - and very expensive example - of what can happen when a starlet’s ambition outgrows his patience.
Sir Alex Ferguson believed the French midfielder could be a player to build future United teams around long after his retirement.
Pogba wasn’t prepared to wait and Juventus capitalised.
The question now is whether Gomes - who has already been handed his debut by Mourinho - is confident he will get the chance to progress in the imminent future.
In that sense United have the most compelling weapon in their arsenal in Marcus Rashford. Gomes need only look to the man who turned 20 yesterday to prove he can fulfil his ambitions at Old Trafford.
Fortune - in the shape of an injury-ravaged attack may have handed Rashford his opportunity under Louis van Gaal. But his own talent and the club’s determination to nurture a homegrown prospect are what have kept him in the team.
Rashford himself was just 17 when he burst onto the scene - another important pointer for Gomes. As is Mourinho’s willingness to put such faith in the England striker.
The old adage of ‘if you’re good enough, you’re old enough’ still holds true at the club - and has done through the reigns of David Moyes, Van Gaal and now Mourinho.
The counter argument, however, remains - with Pogba evidence of another way.
He was 19 when he decided to go against Ferguson’s wishes and take his chances elsewhere.
Four Italian titles and £89m later, he was back at Old Trafford, a returning hero. Perhaps those thoughts weren’t too far from Gomes senior’s mind this week.