Man Utd could end up with two ‘perfect players for Pep Guardiola’ as Liverpool plot hijack

Manchester United have been told by two ex-players that they could end up with a dream pairing of Angel Gomes and Kobbie Mainoo – a duo that Man City boss Pep Guardiola would love to have. Gomes has been linked with a Premier League return and previously left the door open to an Old Trafford reunion.

The 22-year-old left United in 2020 to join Ligue 1 outfit Lille and has caught the eye since his move, even earning his first senior England caps during the recent international break. However there’s now plenty of interest in Gomes, with a number of clubs, including rivals Liverpool, reportedly circling the player.

United legend Nicky Butt has offered his opinion on the star, asserting Gomes is so adept, he would seamlessly fit into Guardiola’s City first XI. Another player City would be thrilled to have, according to Gary Neville, is Mainoo.

Butt now believes Gomes is tailor-made for Europe’s elite and will have the choice of any clubs he wants to join. The 49-year-old believes the star will be looking at the likes of Real Madrid, but conceded he could also lineup in Pep Guardiola’s first XI “tomorrow”, as per the Manchester Evening News.

“I think he can do better than some of the teams that will be in for him in the Premier League,” Butt said to the PA news agency. “The Spanish league is written all over for Angel. He could play in the Premier League easily. He could play for City tomorrow.”

Butt also revealed that he told Gomes personally that he’s destined for big things, he added: “When Angel left United, I said to him, ‘You’re going to go on and have an unbelievable career and I wouldn’t be surprised if you end up playing against Manchester United for Barcelona or Real Madrid in the next five, six, seven years’, because he was that good.”

While United may face a fight to bring Gomes back to Old Trafford, one player who Guardiola would love to get his hands on already resides at the club. Mainoo has enjoyed an outstanding year after breaking into Ten Hag’s first team last season, with the 19-year-old appearing for England throughout Euro 2024 and even making a start in the final defeat to Spain.

Discussing Mainoo’s performance against Everton in November 2023, Neville was full of praise the youngster. He also claimed he’s that good that he could find himself in Manchester City’s engine room.

“The biggest compliment I can pay him, and it hurts to say this, I hope people can take this in the right spirit… he looked like a Manchester City player,” Neville said after the game on Sky Sports. “Honestly, I was watching him and thinking, ‘that’s a player that Pep Guardiola will be looking at and thinking, ‘I want him in my midfield, that’s what my midfield players do’.

“Thankfully Man United have got him because he looks so composed, so graceful, always looking over his shoulder, knowing where everyone is, letting it run across his body.”

Gomes, whose contract is set to expire at the end of this season, has been linked with several clubs. According to Football Insider, Liverpool scouts were spotted observing the United academy graduate during England’s Nations League match against Finland last week.

However, if United can persuade Gomes to return and pair him with Mainoo, they could potentially have a midfield partnership that could drive the club forward for many years. This central pairing would be one that Guardiola himself would desperately covet.