Manchester United should already know their first departure of the January transfer window

Dan Gore pressed aggressively and won the ball on the edge of Rochdale's box. He slid the ball into the box, but the chance was wasted and those in blue shirts thwarted the danger.

Travis Binnion turned around to his coaching staff on the sideline and shook his head before applauding the effort from Gore, whose hard work had come to nothing.

Gore wore the captain's armband for Manchester United Under-21s on Tuesday against Rochdale and made his second academy appearance after recovering from a minor injury.

He missed the start of the campaign due to a freak shoulder issue but picked up a separate problem after his comeback, meaning his season feels like it's only starting in December.

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The season has been stop-start for Gore, and that's a shame considering his talent. His injuries have simply been unfortunate, and he will be questioning his next steps, especially when he turns on his television on Wednesday night to watch his fellow academy graduate Alejandro Garnacho.

Kobbie Mainoo will not be in the squad to face Arsenal due to a suspension, but Mainoo and Garnacho are first-team regulars, and Gore starred alongside that pair for the Under-18s.

Gore and Mainoo developed a special partnership when they played together and were crucial when the U18s won the FA Youth Cup in 2022. Garnacho scored the goals in that talented side and was the poster boy of the team, but Gore and Mainoo made the team tick from midfield.

Erik ten Hag gave Gore his senior debut in September 2023, and he signed for Port Vale on loan last January, but he has stalled a tad while his peers have progressed for the first-team.

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