Angel Gomes should have reached the very top with Manchester United - I saw his rise up close

Manchester United may be regretting the decision to let Angel Gomes leave the club in 2020 after the former Red Devils midfielder made his debut for England against the Republic of Ireland at the weekend.

The 24-year-old, who was offered a contract to stay at United, left the club for French side Lille in the summer of 2020, immediately joining Portuguese side Boavista on a season-long loan. Since then, he hasn't looked back.

The Red Devils academy graduate has clocked up over a century off appearances for the French side and is one of the first names on the team-sheet at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Gomes came off the bench, replacing current Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, in the Three Lions' Nations League win at the Aviva Stadium at the weekend.

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Former Manchester United academy teammate, Callum Whelan - who spent 14 years in the Old Trafford youth set-up alongside Gomes - believes his fellow midfielder was always destined for the very top, despite his move away from the Red Devils.

"Yeah, 100%, I really did," Whelan told the Manchester Evening News when asked if he thought Gomes would go on to play for England at a senior level. "Angel was honestly incredible.

"The only thing with Angel at that age was, was injuries. He had put a lot of growing stuff in and he was picking up odd knocks. And I know himself, he's tough times where he's had to play through, injuries and stuff.

"But yeah, in terms of ability and dedication, Angel was always going to go to the top. He obviously deserves his