Can Angel Gomes Force His Way Back to Manchester United via Wolves?

The fall from grace has been swift for Angel Gomes. Just over a year ago, the diminutive midfielder was being tipped as a potential saviour for both Manchester United and the England national team. Now he finds himself at basement-dwellers Wolves, his summer switch to Marseille having failed to ignite.

Yet there remains a tantalising possibility: might a temporary spell in the Premier League provide the launching pad for a return to his roots at Old Trafford?

Gomes has already outlined his intentions since arriving at Molineux on loan. "Coming here, I'll try and show what I can do, what I'm about, try and be a positive addition to the team, and try to be as positive as possible to help in all aspects," he explained, fully aware that the remainder of the campaign represents a four-month audition for suitors further up the table.

The midfielder's enthusiasm for a Premier League return is genuine, yet he remains unlikely to commit to a permanent Wolves deal should the club exercise their option on him, particularly if top-flight alternatives materialise come summer.

The Marseille Detour

Gomes' journey away from United began under Jose Mourinho, whose management style left the youngster's confidence in tatters and threatened to derail his entire trajectory. Despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's efforts to retain him, the midfielder departed for France, where he subsequently produced a series of eye-catching performances at Lille that earned him an unexpected England call-up from Lee Carsley for the Nations League fixtures in late 2024.

That form coincided with United's midfield crisis, prompting fresh speculation about a homecoming. At that juncture, Gomes was heavily touted as a solution to Old Trafford's problems—problems which have improved but remain far from resolved.

The Carrick Connection

There exists a genuine bond between Gomes and Michael Carrick, dating back to the midfielder's senior debut in 2018. "I came on and Michael Carrick did everything possible to allow me to touch the ball," Gomes recalled to The Guardian. "Every time he had it, I could see that he was looking for me."

Carrick has subsequently spoken glowingly of Gomes' potential, naming him alongside Marcus Rashford, Romelu Lukaku, Luke Shaw and Jesse Lingard as "real, real talent" that gave him confidence the club's future was secure. The mutual respect is undeniable.

Whether Carrick possesses sufficient influence to champion Gomes' return remains another matter entirely. His own long-term position remains uncertain, and even if he secures the role permanently, there's no guarantee INEOS will heed his recommendations on transfer matters.

The Maths Problem

Here's the rub: United's midfield reconstruction almost certainly requires two new arrivals, particularly if Manuel Ugarte departs following Casemiro's exit. The club's analysts are reportedly scrutinising the credentials of Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba as potential marquee signings.

Yet with a £200m budget unlikely to materialise, United will need to complement any headline acquisition with a cut-price alternative. Gomes, should he prove his worth at Wolves, could represent precisely that option.

Admittedly, convincing anyone of his credentials whilst playing for one of the worst Premier League sides in living memory presents a formidable challenge. The commentators, meanwhile, face their own nightmare scenario: covering Wolves fixtures that might feature Angel Gomes alongside Joao, Rodrigo and Toti.

Still, the door remains ajar. If Carrick remains in situ and Gomes delivers between now and May, that back-door route to Manchester United might yet prove navigable.