In a recent interview with talkSPORT, South American football expert Tim Vickery revealed that Manchester United have considered recruiting Joao Gomes from Flamengo last summer in exchange for Andreas Pereira heading in the other direction. Vickery said,
“It looked like they [United] might have been interested in him when Andreas Pereira was on loan from United at Flamengo.
“In the end [Pereira] ended up going to Fulham. There was speculation that in exchange for that deal they might take Joao Gomes, but they didn’t.”
Gomes’ Rapid Rise In Brazilian Football
Gomes has managed to prove his worth as a solid presence at the centre of Flamengo’s midfield as he has put in a run of dominant displays for them in Brazilian football. The Rio de Janeiro-born talent has already made 50 senior appearances for his current club in the Brazilian Serie A, picking up two assists in the process.
The 21-year-old has caught the eye by averaging 3.2 tackles, 0.7 interceptions, 0.8 clearances, 0.6 shots, 0.7 key passes and 0.9 dribbles per 90 minutes in the Brazilian top flight. He has even been excellent when distributing possession from midfield after making 87.3% of his attempted passes in league football (stats via whoscored).
Manchester United Wanted To Land Gomes Last Summer: Should Erik ten Hag Go Back For Him In January?
Gomes loves a tackle at the centre of the park and can time his challenges well to secure the ball back for his team on the defensive end of the field. He usually put his foot through the ball when in danger of being caught out inside his half and is even a tidy passer as well. Gomes is primarily a defensive midfielder but can also fill in as a box-to-box midfielder if his manager asks him to do so.
At 21, the Brazilian youngster is only going to get better with each season, so it makes sense for Man United boss Erik ten Hag to go back for Gomes when the transfer window reopens in January or at the end of this campaign.
The Flamengo whizkid is already good enough to bring more bite and steel to ten Hag’s midfield at Old Trafford. He could even serve as a decent understudy to Casemiro at the Mancunian club if they decide to move in for him in the future.
With all things considered, Gomes will be a decent, long-term signing for Man United to consider next year as he has got the potential to become a future star at the Theatre of Dreams.
