Angel Gomes revealed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told him to ‘enjoy the experience’ as he was brought on in the second half of Manchester United’s win against Huddersfield.
The teenager was in the first-team squad for the second game in succession and after missing out on a place in the match-day 18 against Cardiff he was named as a substitute for the Boxing Day game against Huddersfield. Gomes, who was handed his Premier League debut by Jose Mourinho in 2017, came on as a second half substitute to replace Juan Mata with United 3-0 up.
And the 18-year-old was asked by MUTV what advice his manager gave to him before he came on. “He told me enjoy myself get on the pitch. He said to come inside and get on the ball and get as many touches as you can and enjoy the atmosphere and I tried to do that coming on and it was a great experience,” Gomes explained. And the academy graduate is hopeful of more opportunities under United’s interim manager as he has promised to give more youth team players a chance.
“Of course it’s just the start. It was good me and Jimmy travelled last game too, so to travel again and to get some minutes was an added bonus,” Gomes said. “I think United is about bringing youth through and I think with the new manager and how things are going it’s there for the taking really. “He’s a legend at the club and the fans will get behind him because of the things he won at the club and how great of a player he was. For me to learn from a manager like Solskjaer is great for me and the other younger lads because growing up we were watching him. It’s a great feeling. It’s just the start for me whichever team I’m playing for whether it is the reserves, the youth league, the first team, I will give it my all and I will just take each opportunity as it comes really. ”
Gomes, who has impressed for the U23s and in the UEFA Youth League this season, joked that he was unable to soak up the famous Old Trafford atmosphere when he came on due to a blocked ear.
“My ear is blocked so I can’t really hear as soon as I got on I felt at ease and the players helped me giving me instructions as soon as I got on,” he said. “It was great, always nice to come especially when you’re following in the footsteps of other players who have come on and done well. It was great to come on and hear the crowd it was great for me.”