Manchester United’s ргоᵴрҽcтs of qualifying for the Champions League next season were given a huge setback after falling to Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon, with goals from Joe Willock and Callum Wilson giving the hosts a merited victory at Saint James’ Park.

The midfield ranks are a huge concern for United manager Erik Ten Hag after that “lifeless” loss, according to Manchester Evening News writer Samuel Luckhurst, with the Dutchman struggling to find a good pairing in the absence of the banned Casemiro.

With Christian Eriksen still out injured, the former Ajax manager chose a midfield trio of Bruno Fernandes, Scott McTominay, and Marcel Sabitzer for the trip to Tyneside, even though the Red Devils had “barely had a midfield” while using those same three players in the FA Cup win against Fulham, according to The Athletic’s Adam Crafton.

With the polarizing Fred – who has been called “not good enough” by club veteran Roy Keane – as the only other senior option, the Old Trafford team is quite restricted in that regard, thus the current idea that a new ‘number eight’ might be a priority this summer.

While such a statement signing is certainly required ahead of next season, given the obvious interest in both Frenkie de Jong and Jude Bellingham, Ten Hag may need to turn to the academy levels for a possible option in the near term, with 18-year-old Dan Gore being one noteworthy ргоᵴрҽcт.

Throughout his United career to date, the youngster has yet to get a chance at the senior level, but the midfield master seems to be on the manager’s radar, having been summoned up to first-team training during the season.

The combative and composed ace – who notably irked Anthony Martial with a crunching, training ground challenge earlier in the season – has been hailed as “one of the most talented youngsters” in the club’s academy set-up by talent scout Jacek Kulig, with that sign of the potential gem that Ten Hag has on his hands.

According to Men’s Steven Railston, the England youth international was “superb” as part of the FA Youth Cup-winning team last season and has gone on to make “great development” in the current campaign, notably recording two assists in 14 Premier League 2 games for the U21s.

His great run includes a spectacular performance as captain in the recent 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the latter tournament when he was recognized as the “engine for creativity” by Railston.

Gore’s quality was also on display during the club’s brief EFL Trophy run earlier in the season, with the £1.4k-per-week youngster averaging 1.3 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game from his three appearances to demonstrate his tenacious approach, while also averaging one successful dribble per game.

Such skill both on and off the ball was just recently commended by youth coach Mark Dempsey, who hailed the young ‘leader’: “I believe he is a true player, excellent with and without the ball, and capable of traveling with it. His last pass has to be better for me; it’s the last thing for him, but the rest is excellent.

“I like watching him play football because he is one of those players who can pull supporters off their seats. He slams into people, he’s brilliant technically, and he’s been outstanding all season. He’s been captain many times, and while he’s a quiet kid, he’s a leader.

“He sets a good example. He’s a local guy who loves the football team, as seen by the way he plays. Daniel gives the same performance whether he’s playing at Old Trafford, Carrington, or The Cliff, and we all have a lot of respect for him.”

Such qualities are sure to please both United fans and Ten Hag, with Gore’s all-round abilities possibly making him an ideal ргоᵴрҽcт to solve the club’s present midfield difficulties.