Manchester United midfielder Dan Gore starred for a young second-half side during the pre-season clash with Wrexham on Saturday.
While Manchester United lost 1-0 to Wrexham out in Helsinki, Finland, the academy side drew the second half 0-0 and were unlucky not to have made a statement.
United’s youngsters were really impressive, and Michael Carrick will have been thrilled with the manner in which they dominated a side with some seasoned professionals.
Harry Amass was great, as was Jacob Devaney, Radek Vitek, and Tyler Fletcher. But there was a surprise top performer, with many across social media shocked by Dan Gore.
It was a stellar cameo by the number 44, which hands Gore the first win in the midfield battle.
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Dan Gore should be top of the list of academy midfielders for Michael Carrick
While Tyler Fletcher was a midfield prospect many expected to step up this summer, few had Gore on their radar to watch during pre-season.
But this was wrong to believe, because Gore was Rotherham’s player of the season on loan last season, and having seemed to put his injury issues behind him, he was always going to make himself known.
He did exactly this against Wrexham, with a dynamic, tidy, and intense 45 minutes in which he demonstrated his quality on the ball to create chances with Shea Lacey, but also worked very hard off the ball.
Carrick set a gauntlet pre-match, saying that he was excited to watch the youth and hoped to be impressed; Gore accomplished this.
Gore had a 95% pass completion rate (37/39) and completed 14 carries, many of which saw him progress play and cause real problems for Wrexham, who weren’t able to get a handle on him.
If it weren’t for injuries, Gore could quite easily have already made it as a first-team player for United because he has the talent.
This coming season, United are expected to use one academy midfielder as a regular first-teamer alongside the senior players, and this performance from Gore will have helped his case, potentially moving him into pole position.
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Dan Gore cannot be written off becoming a success for Manchester United
30 months ago, Gore was considered in a similar bracket to Kobbie Mainoo, but after an impressive debut in the League Cup against Crystal Palace, a string of injuries spoiled loan moves and his chances of progressing.
That was until last season, when he played the majority of the 2025/26 campaign for Rotherham, only missing a few games, and this is an indication that he’s put the struggles behind him.
If so, don’t rule Gore out of the running to become a regular for United in the next 12 months
He showed his talent, and Carrick will have loved his combative nature in midfield. As an alternative to the role Mason Mount was playing, he could be great.
He might be sent on loan next season if a good match comes up in a good league, but Gore’s time at United is nowhere near over.
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