Preston North End have reportedly registered an interest in signing Manchester United talent Dan Gore ahead of the January transfer window.
North End made a blistering start to the season but are now in a difficult run.
Ryan Lowe is under huge pressure after just three wins in the last 15 Championship games.
PNE are still close to the playoff places but January signings may be needed to get Lowe and co back on track.
We aren’t expecting big money to be spent after signing Mads Frøkjær-Jensen and Milutin Osmajic over the summer, so loan signings may be the priority.
The Manchester Evening News report that PNE have now expressed a real interest in taking Manchester United midfielder Dan Gore on loan.
Gore could now follow in the footsteps of Alvaro Fernandez with a loan move to Deepdale, with United weighing up the future of their talented midfielder.
Gore isn’t a household name just yet, so here is all the information you need on PNE’s new January target…
Dan Gore, the story so far
Gore hails from Manchester but actually started his career in the youth ranks of our Lancashire rivals Burnley.
The 19-year-old joined United in 2018 and has been rising through the ranks at Old Trafford ever since.
Gore was voted United’s Player of the Year for the reserve team last season, an award won by Alvaro Fernandez the year before.
Erik ten Hag handed Gore his first-team debut in an EFL Cup tie against Crystal Palace in September, and he has been in a number of matchday squads this season.
Gore has been in the England setup across various youth levels and is now in the Under-20 side.
Dan Gore player profile
- Age: 19
- Date of birth: 26/09/2004
- Position: Central midfielder
- Club: Manchester United
- Former clubs: Burnley
- Nationality: England
Dan Gore, what they say
“I think he’s a proper footballer, good with the ball, good without the ball, and he can travel with it. His final pass has to improve for me, that’s the last bit for him, but the rest is great.
“I like to see him play football because he’s one of them to get fans off their seats. He smashes into people, technically he’s fantastic and he’s been terrific all season. He’s been captain a number of times and personality-wise, he’s a quiet boy, but he’s a leader.”
“He leads by example. He’s a local lad, he loves the football club and you see that in the way he plays. Whether he’s playing at Old Trafford, a three-a-side at Carrington or at The Cliff, it’s the same performance from the kid and we’ve all got a lot of time for Daniel.” – Mark Dempsey, Manchester United’s Under-23 lead coach.
“He has obvious talent in terms of his technical ability; a whole variety of passes, skill to beat a player in tight spaces and make good decisions at the right time when under pressure. However, it’s his character that sets him apart. He leads by example, not by shouting although he will tell you when needs be. His desire to be a top professional has burnt brightly since he was eight years old when I signed him at Burnley. He displays the attributes of what I call the four non-negotiables; 100 per cent effort, ultra-competitive, master scanner and great decision-maker.”
“In my opinion, he is a prime example of how a modern, young player should act, both on and off the field, and given the opportunity will be a Manchester United player for many years to come,” – Lee Waddington, former Burnley and Manchester United youth coach.
“He’s always competitive. He’s got real good quality and I think the way he’s driven with the ball and left senior players behind was excellent. His character [impresses me] as well. He was on one leg and he was still pressing. He’s a really good player and we’re really pleased with his progression,” – Travis Binnion, Manchester United Under-18 lead coach.
“He (Gore)’s been absolutely brilliant. You get what you see with Dan Gore. He brings it to training every day, he is competitive, combative, he is a really good footballer. He has been progressing really well,” – Colin Little, Manchester United Under-18 assistant coach.
How Dan Gore fits in
North End have used a number of different midfield setups this season.
We have seen Ben Whiteman and Ryan Ledson together, we have seen Ali McCann come in, we have seen Whiteman as a lone sitter with two number eights ahead of him.
PNE’s midfield doesn’t appear to be too settled right now and it was far too easy for Watford to cut through during Saturday’s 5-1 defeat.
Gore’s composure on the ball and tenacity out of possession would hopefully bring something new to PNE’s midfield, either sitting in front of defence or pushing higher up the pitch.
United clearly think very highly of Gore and a loan move would seemingly be a coup for PNE, with last season’s work developing Fernandez potentially making North End an appealing destination.