“When I observed your gameplay, I thought you were Lionel Messi’s brother. You have become a great player now because of what I told you back then. Pack your bags; we are going back to Old Trafford.” Former Manchester United prospect Angel Gomes reveals the harsh critique from Jose Mourinho that almost brought him to tears but ultimately contributed to his development as a player, as he prepares to return to Old Trafford with Mourinho.

“When I observed your gameplay, I thought you were Lionel Messi’s brother. You have become a great player now because of what I told you back then. Pack your bags; we are going back to Old Trafford.” Former Manchester United prospect Angel Gomes reveals the harsh critique from Jose Mourinho that almost brought him to tears but ultimately contributed to his development as a player, as he prepares to return to Old Trafford with Mourinho.

On May 18, Angel Gomes made history as the youngest recipient of Manchester United’s prestigious Jimmy Murphy Youth Team Player of the Year award, joining the ranks of legends like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and Marcus Rashford. Just a day later, Jose Mourinho personally invited him to train with the first-team squad.

Impressed by Gomes’ exceptional talent, Mourinho handed him his Premier League debut at the age of 16 years and 263 days. Substituting Wayne Rooney in the 88th minute against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, Gomes became the youngest player to represent United since Duncan Edwards.

Reflecting on this unforgettable moment, Gomes says, “To step onto that pitch at 16, then return to my neighborhood and see familiar faces I grew up with—it was surreal. Even now, I still find myself in awe. It was an extraordinary experience.

“Despite the challenges during Mourinho’s tenure at Manchester United, it’s often overlooked that he introduced six academy graduates to first-team action. While polarizing, Mourinho played a pivotal role in Gomes’ journey. ‘No one has asked me about Mourinho before, so I’ve never had the chance to speak about him,’ Gomes reflects. ‘Now, with maturity, I realize his significance.'”

He handed me my debut, and for that, I am immensely grateful.” Following his Premier League debut, Gomes swiftly found himself included in matchday squads for various cup fixtures. On one occasion, however, he encountered a memorable “tongue-lashing” from Mourinho, which left him visibly shaken. Recounting the incident, Gomes reveals, “I’ve never shared this story, but once, during a cup game with the first team after playing for the U21s, Mourinho addressed the squad. He jokingly singled me out, saying, ‘I am fed up with you!’ Initially, I thought it was banter, but then he critiqued my performance from the previous day. I was stunned. I felt like he despised me.”

Looking back on the incident, Gomes offers a mature perspective. “With time, I understood his intentions,” he reflects. “Mourinho sought excellence and aimed to instill discipline akin to a first-team player. It was a wake-up call—a reminder that this wasn’t youth football. Now, I comprehend his approach better. Despite the initial shock, I’d welcome the opportunity to play under him again.”

While Gomes admits to losing touch with Mourinho, he fondly recalls the manager’s passionate demeanor, evident in his random FaceTime calls to players. “He’s incredibly passionate, and that resonates with his players,” Gomes notes. “He genuinely cares. I recall Marcus and Jesse sharing stories of receiving impromptu calls from him. It just underscores his true character.”