Preston North End are interested in Manchester United talent Dan Gore but the Africa Cup of Nations could throw a spanner in the works.
Reports earlier this week suggested that PNE have expressed an interest in taking Manchester United midfielder Dan Gore on loan.
The 19-year-old – formerly of Burnley – is one of the rising stars from the United youth ranks.
Gore made his first-team debut earlier this season and has been on the bench for a handful of games in both the Premier League and Champions League.
A tenacious and all-action midfielder, Gore would be a fine loan capture – but United may be reluctant to let him go out in January…
Africa Cup of Nations could impact PNE’s Dan Gore chase
United may fancy loaning Gore out for first-team experience but the Africa Cup of Nations is something to think about.
Erik ten Hag is set to lose two midfielders to the Africa Cup of Nations, ruling them out of action for up to a month.
Sofyan Amrabat will be heading off with Morocco whilst Hannibal Mejbri is in line to feature for Tunisia.
United are already without Casemiro and Mason Mount with both players out through injury, meaning Gore has been on the bench to offer midfield cover.
Both players should be back soon but their absences leave Ten Hag short of options.
Donny van de Beek is now heading to join Eintracht Frankfurt and Ten Hag may be reluctant to lose another midfielder.
United have a cup tie against League One side Wigan Athletic coming up in early January, which seems like a prime opportunity for Gore to feature.
That leaves us to think that United will either prefer to keep Gore or, at the very least, delay any loan exit until later in the window when the Africa Cup of Nations stars return.
This situation certainly makes PNE’s chase a little more difficult, and it depends on just how desperate Ryan Lowe is for a player to come in early in the window.
Managers tend to want their business done as early as possible but Lowe may feel that Gore is worth the wait should United delay a temporary exit.
We would certainly love to see Gore in a PNE shirt, but United’s rather difficult midfield situation makes a deal far from a foregone conclusion.