Manchester United utilised the winter transfer window to provide valuable first-team experience to several of their promising academy talents, with midfielder Dan Gore among those sent out on loan. The 20-year-old joined Championship side Rotherham United for the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign, a move designed to aid his development after a challenging period plagued by injuries.
Gore made an immediate impression during his debut for the Millers, coming off the bench in the first half of their 2-1 defeat to Birmingham City. He was introduced earlier than expected after Mallik Wilks suffered an injury, and despite Rotherham’s loss, Gore showcased his quality with a sublime assist. His perfectly timed cross set up Sam Nombe for Rotherham’s sole goal, offering a glimpse of the creative spark that has made him one of Manchester United’s most exciting young midfield prospects.
However, just as expectations began to rise for Gore following his promising debut, he was ruled out of Rotherham’s subsequent fixture against Shrewsbury Town. This decision left Millers manager Steve Evans visibly frustrated and perplexed. According to journalist Paul Davis, Gore has sustained a foot injury that is expected to keep him sidelined for several weeks. This latest setback is a bitter blow for the young midfielder, who has endured a torrid year battling fitness issues.
Gore’s recent struggles began last January when he was loaned to Port Vale. Unfortunately, his time there was cut short after just one appearance due to an injury that ruled him out for the remainder of the season. To compound matters, he suffered a freak shoulder injury during pre-season last summer, further delaying his return to full fitness. The loan move to Rotherham was seen as a fresh opportunity for Gore to reignite his career and make up for lost time. Yet, his misfortune appears to have followed him, raising questions about whether he will remain with Rotherham or return to Carrington for rehabilitation.
Once considered ahead of Toby Collyer in Manchester United’s youth hierarchy, Gore’s injury woes have allowed others to leapfrog him in the pecking order. Collyer has since cemented himself as a reliable presence in Erik ten Hag’s first-team setup, while Kobbie Mainoo continues to impress with regular appearances for both club and country. Nevertheless, there remains hope that Gore can overcome these challenges and rediscover the form that once had him on the cusp of breaking into United’s senior squad.
For Manchester United, Gore’s injury adds to an already concerning list of setbacks this season. Earlier this month, Lisandro Martínez suffered a devastating cruciate knee ligament injury, further depleting Erik ten Hag’s options in defence. While injuries are an inevitable part of football, they have undeniably disrupted United’s plans both at senior and academy levels.
The focus now shifts to Gore’s recovery timeline and whether he can salvage what remains of this season. Fans and coaches alike will be hoping that this talented youngster can put his injury troubles behind him and fulfil the immense potential he has shown throughout his youth career. For now, patience will be key as both Rotherham and Manchester United await updates on his condition.
