TB Joshua praying for Angel Gomes
Video footage has emerged of Manchester United youngster Angel Gomes visiting a controversial Nigerian prophet to heal him of injury troubles four years ago.
Gomes was 16 and in United’s academy when he attended T.B. Joshua’s Synagogue Church of All Nations in the Nigerian capital of Lagos in 2016.
He has since made 10 first-team appearances for United and is reportedly close to agreeing a new £25,000-a-week contract at Old Trafford.
Gomes responded to the video on his Twitter account, explaining the reasons behind his visit.
In the video, Gomes stands in front of a large congregation at the church and explains how problems with hip, groin and ankle injuries had kept him sidelined.
The video then shows T.B. Joshua, one of Africa’s best-known preachers, apparently performing a healing ritual on the teenager.
The devoted followers of Joshua, whose services are broadcast on television, believe holy water can cure HIV and tuberculosis. Joshua himself was estimated to have a fortune of $10million in 2011.
But his critics say the televangelist actually prevents efforts to cure such diseases and illnesses.
In the video, from the church’s Emmanuel TV channel, Gomes says, “My name is Angel Gomes, I’m from Manchester. I’m sixteen.
“I play for Manchester United Football Club. And I’ve been struggling really with injuries.
“I’ve been having injuries around my hip and groin which have been affecting me playing. I also suffered an ankle injury not long ago which kept me out for a long time.
“These injuries would come at hard times for me, times when I was having a breakthrough or times when I had to go to a tournament or playing games, these injuries would happen quite frequently.
“I play for Man United, I also represent the England national team under-17 level as captain.
“I’ve known about the Synagogue Church of Nations for a long time. As my family follows the prophet, my parents are big fans.
“So we thought it would be a good time for me to come and be touched by the prophet.”