MANCHESTER UNITED boss Ole Gunnar Solkajer paid a heartwarming tribute to Everton star Andre Gomes at the weekend.
The Portuguese midfielder is making his way back from a horror ankle injury suffered in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham earlier this season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer went and congratulated Andre Gomes for his stunning return from serious injuryCredit: EPA
He has featured in two games since his return – coming off the bench in a 3-2 loss to Arsenal and then starting the 1-1 draw with United at the weekend.
Gomes was replaced on 82 minutes at Goodison Park after a fine performance in the midfield.
Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti was the first to congratulate the 26-year-old for his efforts, before rival boss Solskjaer made his move.
The Norwegian gaffer put a hand on the player’s shoulder, before Gomes span around and embraced the pair hugged.
Gomes suffered the sickening injury when his right leg buckled under him after he was caught by a sliding challenge from Heung-Min Son at the start of November.
SOLSKJAER’S ACTIONS PRAISED
The shattered Spurs striker was in tears and had to be consoled by a member of coach’s backroom team before he was shown a straight red card by referee Martin Atkinson.
That sending off was later rescinded by an independent panel.
Solksjaer’s actions at the weekend have been praised by fans of both clubs.
One United fan simply posted “my manager” when the clip was shared on Twitter.
A Blues fan replied that Solskjaer had “gone up in my books”.
He [Andre Gomes] must have been really doubting how long this would take, so it’s great to see him back
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Speaking about Gomes after the game, Solskjaer said: He’s a fantastic player, first of all and the way that he’s come back, less than four months after that bad injury, looking the way he does now, is fantastic.
“[It’s] great to see.
“I played with Alan Smith [who broke his leg against Liverpool], ourselves we know how difficult that can be.
“He [Andre Gomes] must have been really doubting how long this would take, so it’s great to see him back.”
It was honours even at Goodison Park between Everton and Man Utd but the hosts felt they should have had more.
Richarlison netted with a deflected strike in the 92nd minute but Gylfi Sigurdsson was ruled to have obstructed David De Gea’s eyeline from an offside position.
And so incensed was boss Carlo Ancelotti that he was handed a red card for his protests.
Earlier in the game, Dominic Calvert-Lewin charged down a De Gea clearance to give the Toffees the lead.
But Bruno Fernandes equalised with a shot that went under Jordan Pickford.
The Portuguese midfielder first got some praise off his own boss Carlo AncelottiCredit: EPA
Andre Gomes suffered a horror ankle injury against Tottenham earlier this seasonCredit: Reuters
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he doesn’t regret not getting Bruno Fernandes earlier in the January transfer window
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
