Manchester United could end up with two 'perfect players for Pep Guardiola' as Liverpool plot hijacking

Two former Manchester United players have indicated that they could end up with a dream partnership of Angel Gomes and Kobbie Mainoo, a duo that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola would love to have. Gomes has been linked with a return to the Premier League and has previously left the door open to a reunion at Old Trafford.

The 22-year-old left Manchester United in 2020 to join Ligue 1 side Lille and has attracted attention since his move, even earning his first England caps during the recent international break. However, interest in Gomes is now high, with a number of clubs, including rivals Liverpool, reportedly circling him.

Manchester United legend Nicky Butt has given his thoughts on the star, saying Gomes is so gifted he would fit perfectly into Guardiola's starting XI at City. According to Gary Neville, City would also be delighted to have Mainoo.

Butt now believes Gomes is cut out for Europe's elite and will have a choice of clubs to join. The 49-year-old believes the star will look to clubs like Real Madrid, but conceded he could also be in Pep Guardiola's starting XI “tomorrow”, according to the Manchester Evening News.

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

Butt also revealed that he personally told Gomes that he was destined for great things, adding: “When Angel left United I said to him, 'You're going to go on and have an incredible 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 Manchester United may struggle to bring Gomes back to Old Trafford, one player Guardiola would love to have on his hands already resides at the club. Mainoo has enjoyed a breakout year after breaking into Ten Hag's first team last season, with the 19-year-old featuring for England throughout Euro 2024 and even starting in the final defeat to Spain.

Speaking about Mainoo's performance against Everton in November 2023, Neville was full of praise for the youngster. He also claimed that he was so good that he could end up in the Manchester City engine room.

“The biggest compliment I can give him, and it hurts to say it, I hope people can take it in the right spirit… he looked like a Manchester City player,” Neville told Sky Sports after the game. “Honestly, I was looking at him and thinking, 'This is a player Pep Guardiola is going to look at and think, 'I want him in my midfield, this is what my midfielders do'.”

“Luckily Manchester United have him because he looks so composed, so graceful, he’s always looking over his shoulder, knows where everyone is, he lets it reflect on his body.”

Gomes, whose contract expires at the end of the season, has been linked with several clubs. According to Football Insider, Liverpool scouts were spotted watching the Manchester United academy graduate during England's Nations League match against Finland last week.

However, if United can convince Gomes to return and partner him with Mainoo, they could potentially have a midfield duo that could carry the club forward for many years to come. That central duo would be one that Guardiola himself would desperately covet.