Crunch two weeks for Angel’s future

ANGEL Gomes’ United future is set to be decided in the next two weeks.

The 19-year-old’s contract expires at the end of this month and there remains an offer on the table from the Reds that would see him commit his long-term future to the club.

But M.E.N. Sport understands there have been no discussions over a short-term deal that would at least see the academy graduate stay until the rescheduled end of this season, which means Gomes could leave in two weeks if he decides against penning a new deal.

Premier League clubs have been granted permission to offer shortterm extensions to those players whose deals expire on June 30, with the domestic season now not set to end until the FA Cup final on August 1.

The three-months hiatus during the coronavirus outbreak means clubs have been left facing the possibility of players departing at the end of their contracts later this month, when there will still be six rounds of Premier League fixtures to play.

Short-term extensions must be agreed between the club and the player and the Premier League have set a deadline of June 23 for such agreements to be finalised.

But United want Gomes to remain at the club for the long-term and a contract reflecting that remains on the table, which is why a short-term extension has not been discussed, and Gomes could still commit his future to the club up until his existing deal ends on June 30.

The fact Gomes has been with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s senior side since the resumption of training at Carrington is seen as encouraging and the attacking midfielder has been involved in the inter-squad friendlies at Old Trafford and Carrington, as well as facing West Brom in one of the friendly fixtures at Old Trafford on Friday.

Gomes, who became the youngest player to represent United since Duncan Edwards when he made his debut in May 2017, has been linked with Barcelona and Chelsea and although his first-team exposure has been limited since his early opportunity, he is still highly-regarded at the Reds.

Solskjaer has stressed he wants Gomes to stay at the club throughout this season and there was encouragement when Tahith Chong, 20, signed his own contract extension in April.

With just over two weeks left on his deal Gomes is yet to follow suit, but United’s offer of a longterm extension is waiting to be signed if the teenager decides to stay at Old

Trafford.