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Ineos made a statement of intent earlier this year by luring Dan Ashworth to Manchester United from Newcastle United.
Ashworth, who has had encouraging stints with West Bromwich Albion, the FA, and Brighton and Hove Albion, is considered one of the best executives in English football, having left his mark at all his previous jobs by implementing a defined style of play and spotting and recruiting emerging talents.
In 2020, when Ashworth led Brighton’s recruitment, he shed light on his thoughts about chasing homegrown players.
A player is considered homegrown if they have played for an FA-affiliated club for at least three years before turning 21. Premier League clubs are not allowed to name more than 17 non-homegrown players in their 25-player squad.
He told The Athletic: “If there are going to be rule changes in the number of homegrown players in your squad, from January next year or June this year — whenever it may be — the fact that we had an opportunity to get a good, young homegrown one in does make it even more attractive.”
In that regard, Angel Gomes could prove to be an ideal market opportunity for the United sporting director.
A Salford-raised talent, Gomes is a product of the United academy and was once regarded as someone who was destined to cement his place in the club’s first-team.
Jose Mourinho handed the 16-year-old Gomes his senior debut in 2017. However, slowly he found himself on the fringes, owing to doubts over his diminutive stature. In 2020, United decided to release the Englishman.
The 5’6” playmaker moved to Lille and steadily established himself as one of the best deep-lying midfielders in the league, dictating the tempo of the game with his ability to manipulate the ball through impeccable ball control, twists and turns, and passing range.
Apart from his status of a homegrown player, Gomes should be on United’s radar as the side’s midfield lacks all the qualities that he offers in abundance.
In particular, Erik ten Hag’s direct approach, which often leaves his backline exposed, could do with a high-volume passer like the Lille star. In his full debut for England, Gomes completed 116 passes against Finland.
Apart from his technical security in possession, Gomes has shown he is ready for the Premier League’s physicality, having spent considerable time in Ligue 1, which is a very physically demanding league.
Further, Gomes has entered the final year of his contract at Lille, providing United an opportunity to strengthen their midfield next summer without any outlay on a transfer fee.
Ashworth was the FA director of elite development when Gomes captained England to the U-17 World Cup triumph in 2017. The 2024 summer window seems like the perfect opportunity for the pair to reunite at Old Trafford.
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