Angel Gomes on 'weight' of Manchester United shirt and overcoming height & 'favouritism' jibes

Angel Gomes is another that got away. From the protective bosom at Manchester United to going it alone in France, Gomes feels the weight of the shirt at his former club may have impacted some, but rules it out as a defining factor as to why many have flourished elsewhere.

The England international has diverted from a journey many believed he was destined to take. Having joined United at the age of six, Gomes stepped through the echelons of junior football regarded as one of English football's brightest prospects.

Indeed, when he made his senior debut - replacing Wayne Rooney as a substitute at 16 years and 263 days old - he became the youngest player to represent Manchester United since Duncan Edwards in 1953.

The hype was deafening, it seemed for all the world that Gomes' script was written.

Fast-forward eight years and he is walking a different path. He'd made just five substitute Premier League appearances before leaving for Lille in the summer of 2020.

He is on the move again this summer, having agreed to join Champions League-bound Marseille.

And in an exclusive interview with BBC Sport the midfielder discusses his United upbringing, why he and others have shone away from Old Trafford, why size does not matter and his irritation at suggestions his four England caps are rooted in nepotism.

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