Man Utd issue update on highly-rated wonderkid who played first game for nine months
Attacking midfielder Dan Gore returned to action for Manchester United's U-21 team on Tuesday night after recovering from freak shoulder injury sustained in January
by Alan Smith · The MirrorDan Gore returned to action for Manchester United’s Under-21s on Tuesday night after a nine-month injury lay off.
And Carrington academy coaches are convinced that the setback when he was on the cusp of joining Erik ten Hag’s first-team squad for pre-season will stand the attacking midfielder in good stead later in his career.
The academy graduate damaged a shoulder in a freak incident during a personal training session and needed to go under the knife in June to correct the issue.
But the 19-year-old, who appeared off the bench in a Carabao Cup game against Crystal Palace last season before going on loan to Port Vale, has recently returned to training.
And he wore the captain’s armband during just over an hour of action in the EFL Trophy game against Doncaster, which ended 3-3 and ended with United winning a bonus point in a penalty shootout.
"He's come back from injury and it goes back to what we discussed, keeping your focus when you’re out of the game and doing work in the gym. He’s had a setback," said Under-21 assistant manager Dave Hughes when he was asked about Gore after the Doncaster game.
"You’ve got to be able to manage your own emotions and expectations. Being able to realise where you are and also for every professional player, they are going to have a setback with an injury.
"If you go through your journey without a setback, I’m not sure you develop the tools to understand how to deal with that further down the line. I’m sure Dan would have reflected on that.
"He’s probably developed patience and personal awareness at how to manage himself at being disappointed that he can’t play and that will all stand him in good stead.
"It might be in a few weeks if he gets a suspension, or whatever it is, they are all skills to equip young, high-potential individuals to be successful in the long term."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky Sports deal
Sky Sports launches 'lowest price' Premier League package
£43 (was £52)
Sky has slashed the price of its Sky Sports, Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £216 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
With Ultra HD included at no extra cost, football fans can enjoy the 2024/25 season with crystal clear picture quality.