Angel Gomes`s move to Olympique de Marseille on a free transfer from Lille marks a significant arrival for the club. At his introductory press conference, a notable point of discussion emerged: his long-standing connection with fellow former Manchester United academy graduate, Mason Greenwood, who joined Marseille the previous summer.
Gomes spoke openly about his relationship with Greenwood, describing him affectionately as “a bit like a little brother.” He elaborated on their shared history, recalling how their paths first crossed at the tender age of eight within the Manchester United youth system. Gomes highlighted the rarity and beauty of progressing through a top academy together and eventually finding themselves as professional teammates once more. “We met when we were eight… Starting so young and ending up at a professional club together is rare and beautiful,” Gomes stated, expressing eagerness to share the pitch and moments with Greenwood in their new environment.
Their respective footballing journeys took slightly different trajectories after their initial breakthroughs at Old Trafford. Gomes made his senior debut for Manchester United in 2017, followed by Greenwood in 2019. Gomes departed the club in 2020, seeking opportunities abroad, while Greenwood`s subsequent, well-documented complexities eventually led him to Marseille, creating this unexpected reunion opportunity.
While Mason Greenwood`s career path has been subject to significant external scrutiny – stemming from charges in 2022 that were subsequently dropped in 2023 – Gomes`s comments focused purely on their personal bond and shared footballing history. The emphasis was clearly on the positive aspect of their reunion on the pitch, looking forward rather than back at past difficulties. It`s a simple acknowledgement of a long-standing friendship, perhaps a quiet testament to the bonds formed far from the public eye.
Gomes`s arrival also adds to a list of players with English connections at Marseille, such as Jonathan Rowe and CJ Egan-Riley (though Greenwood has now changed his international allegiance to Jamaica). However, the narrative attracting attention remains the intriguing reunion between two players who shared a crucial, formative period of their footballing lives.
The prospect of Gomes and Greenwood linking up again, this time in the vibrant atmosphere of Marseille`s Stade Vélodrome, adds an interesting subplot to the upcoming Ligue 1 season. Their long-standing rapport, forged in the competitive environment of the Manchester United academy, could potentially translate into effective chemistry on the pitch, offering Marseille fans a compelling story of shared journeys and potential synergy.
