Dan Gore scored and captained Manchester United’s second string as they destroyed Blackburn Rovers.
Just days after making his first-team debut, the 19-year-old starred for Travis Binnion’s under-21 side, bagging the fourth goal in a resounding 5-2 rout. Shola Shoretire also impressed for United in Lancashire, firing his side 2-1 up shortly before the break.
Some United supporters expected Erik ten Hag to name Gore on the bench again ahead of the 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace. The clash against the Eagles in midweek saw the midfielder make a 30-minute cameo.
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Ten Hag asserted that Gore’s debut was the result of hard work when grilled after the Carabao Cup tie. He said: “I think it's a great birthday for him, but I'm not a manager - and we don't have coaches here - who give players opportunities (for nothing), they have to deserve it.
“Once they deserve it, they get the chance. But then they have to prove it and I think the young players like Hannibal, Pellistri and Garnacho, have to do it every time and we are very critical, they deserve it every day in training. When the standards are too low, they will hear it and we don't play them because they have to train every day to the maximum."
As it happened, Gore dropped back to the youth ranks and impressed again to amplify calls for more regular first-team action. The starlet, who represents England at under-18 level, has captained United’s youth team in recent times.
A horror showing for Ten Hag’s senior side may also offer him more opportunities. United were humiliated 1-0 at Old Trafford by Palace despite blowing them away in midweek.
