It was quite appropriate that one of the most talented young players at the club demonstrated why he could one day be the solution to their difficulties during a week in which Manchester United experienced a midfield scarcity.
Zidane Iqbal and Kobbie Mainoo, two teenagers, missed out on a spot in the U21 team to play Everton on Saturday afternoon as a result of United's need for midfield options. Instead, they were focused on playing Leeds United in the Premier League on Sunday with the first team.
Dan Gore was left in charge of the United midfield at Leigh Sports Village in their absence, and he did it with ease as his team smashed the opposition 4-1. The 18-year-old was a vital part of United's successful Youth Cup campaign a year ago, and now that his midfield partner from that time, Mainoo, is playing for the first team, he has every reason to believe he will soon follow in the footsteps of that player.
Dan Gore plays with a much more physical style and enjoys the physicality of the midfield battle, which was evident in his most recent outing. The 18 year old was given the opportunity to make an impact during the tense opening minutes of the game. Twice, he used deadly driving runs to split the Everton defense, holding off a group of defenders before passing to his teammates.
When Joe Hugill fired low across goal to continue his impressive scoring streak, it was this directness from the captain that helped to excite the United side and push them further up the pitch.
Hugill, who was crowned the Premier League 2 Player of the Month for January after tallying five goals in four games, has lost no time in laying claim to back-to-back honors with yet another devastating strike.
After Everton responded with a spirited drive of their own, they were punished once more four minutes later when Omari Forson received the ball from Gore and fired a ferocious low shot into the far corner of the goal.
The visitors were treated unfairly by the score, but that would soon change when defender Liam Higgins valiantly extended to score after latching onto a loose ball at the far post.
The second half continued to be well matched, with both teams having opportunities to score after the break. A close-range shot by Mateo Mejia was wide before the spirited Francis Okoronkwo outran the United defense but missed the target with a shot.
Once again, United's coolness made all the difference. Gore served as the midfield metronome, keeping things going smoothly while not just giving commands to his teammates but also strategically moving into space to offer a passing option that was always available.
Everton kept up the pressure, but they lacked quality in the final third, something Forson unquestionably has. When the 18-year-old picked up the ball at the edge of the box, did well to transfer it to his right foot, and fired an effort into the far top corner of the goal, he secured his brace.
Hugill would shortly complete his hat-trick after being fouled in the box during stoppage time. While the first two goals were spectacular attempts, this one was all about poise as Forson calmly finished with his left foot into the bottom right corner of the net, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
In the end, the scoreline slightly overstated United's performance, but it is impossible to ignore their recent turnaround of form given that they have now won six straight games in all competitions.
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