"Would be nothing better than Kobbie (Mainoo) and him" - Former Manchester United youth coach wants ex-player to return to club
Former Manchester United youth coach Dean Whitehouse has claimed that he would love for his former protege Angel Gomes to return to Old Trafford. Whitehouse claimed that there "would be nothing better" for the Red Devils than a partnership of Gomes and Kobbie Mainoo in midfield.
Whitehouse coached the Under-11 and Under-12 sides at United from 2004 to 2023. He mentored Gomes in his formative years, with the latter eventually making his first senior appearance in May 2017.
At the time, he became the youngest player (16 years, 263 days) to play for the club since Duncan Edwards in 1953. However, he was unable to establish himself as a regular first-team player at Old Trafford, eventually moving to Ligue 1 side LOSC Lille on a free transfer in 2020.
Gomes has been a solid performer for Les Dogues, with nine goals and 19 assists in 129 appearances across all competitions. His impressive performances earned him his maiden call-up to the England national team in September 2024.
With his contract expiring at the end of the 2024-25 season, Manchester United are reportedly interested in bringing him back to the club on a free transfer. Whitehouse wholeheartedly wished for the rumours to come true, stating in his conversation with Manchester Evening News (via Tribal Football):
"Angel and (brother) Rico, they are just little Mancs. His mum and dad obviously come from an international background, but these two are born and bred little Mancs, and they're great characters. So you're devastated (when he leaves)."
"As a coach who's coached there for a long time, for me now, there would be nothing better than Kobbie (Mainoo) and Angel, the Manchester United midfield for many years to come, I’d die a happy man. He could definitely have made it there," Whitehouse added.
Gomes can play as an attacking midfielder, central midfielder, wide midfielder, and defensive midfielder. With his incredible versatility, he would be a valuable addition to Manchester United's midfield if they make a move for his services.
"It's utopia" - Former Manchester United youth coach opens up about Angel Gomes and Kobbie Mainoo
Former Manchester United youth coach Lee Unsworth opened up on the moment Angel Gomes made his senior debut for the England national team.
The 24-year-old came on as a 77th-minute substitute for current Red Devils star Kobbie Mainoo in the Three Lions' 2-0 win over Ireland in September. Since then, he has started in two games against Finland, helping his side win 2-0 and 3-1 and bagging an assist in the latter.
Detailing his emotions when the substitution occurred, Unsworth, one of Gomes' first coaches at United, said (via Manchester Evening News):
"To see Angel slapping hands with Kobbie, it's utopia. You're seeing two boys that you've been around and you've had some time with, and you've maybe helped along the way in some respect, coming and playing for England at the same time. It's just fantastic."
Given Manchester United's reported interest in bringing Gomes back on a free transfer in the summer of 2025, a potential link-up between him and Mainoo at club level is on the cards.