Manchester United teenager ears blocked up in Old Trafford noise

Manchester United teenager Angel Gomes said his ears blocked up after coming on as a second-half substitute in their 3-1 win over Huddersfield on St. Stephen's Day.

Gomes replaced Juan Mata with just under 10 minutes to go of normal time in what was just his third appearance for the club after making his senior debut as a 88th minute substitute for Wayne Rooney last year. The 18-year-old has been earmarked for a couple of years now in the Manchester United academy and his second run out at Old Trafford was somewhat deafening.

“Yes, it’s always nice to come on, especially when you are a young lad, following in the footsteps of the other players who are progressing and doing well,” Gomes told MUTV. “To come on and hear the crowd cheering you on was a great feeling for me.

My ears actually blocked! I couldn’t really hear, but, as soon as I got on, I felt at ease. The players helped me, they spoke to me and gave me instructions and I was fine from then on.”

“It is just the start, it was good. Me and [fellow youth star] Jimmy [Garner] travelled for the last game as well so to travel again was an added bonus and to get some minutes was great and I think United’s about bringing youth through and I think with the new manager and how things are going it is there for the taking really.”

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has preached positivity and excitement since his arrival at Old Trafford and Gomes revealed a similar message was delivered to him just before he went onto the pitch.

“He told me to enjoy myself, get on the pitch, come inside, get on the ball and get as many touches as I can and to enjoy the atmosphere. I tried to do that coming on and it was a great experience,“ he added.

“He is a legend at the club. The fans will get behind him because the things he won with the club and how great of a player he was.

“For the manger to come in and for me to learn from a manager like Solskjaer is great and the other younger lads too because growing up we were all watching him. It is a great feeling.”