Manchester United have transfer decision to make on forgotten midfielder

Few people can say they have marked their 19th birthday by making their first-team debut for Manchester United.

Dan Gore can. He made his bow for the Reds in September 2023 when he stepped off the bench with just under 30 minutes left of a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace in the third round of the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford.

"It tops the list of birthdays, it was truly a special moment," Gore told MUTV. "I don't think words can describe that feeling, seeing the fans, it is everything you've dreamed of, coming true.

"It means everything [to make your debut], growing up as a United fan [along with] my whole family, it means a lot to them and they were all here supporting me."

Not far off two years on, Gore has only made one further appearance for United, off the bench as a late substitute in the Reds' 3-2 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Boxing Day 2023.

The following month, the talented midfielder was sent out on loan for the first time in his career, joining League One side Port Vale. Unfortunately, his loan spell at Vale Park amounted to just one appearance because of an injury.

Having caught the eye in United's pre-season preparations ahead of the start of the 2023/24 season, Gore was expected to kick on and make sharp progress. However, opportunities at Old Trafford were understandably limited and his injury at Port Vale was a rotten bit of luck.

The 20-year-old midfielder, who joined United's academy in 2018 from Burnley, then experience another dose of bad luck last summer, encountering a freak shoulder injury during a personal training session. He missed the whole of United's pre-season campaign and was not spotted back in training until September.

Much to his and United's frustration, the midfielder then