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Dan Gore has given Rotherham United fans cause for hope that he will stick around at the New York Stadium until the end of the season.
The 21-year-old Manchester United midfielder has been one of the standout players for the Millers this season, particularly in the current nine-game unbeaten run which has seen Matt Hamshaw’s team transform themselves from League One relegation candidates to dark horses for a play-off push.
But as ever with loanees, play too well and it alerts other clubs higher up the food chain.
Gore is on loan from Old Trafford until the end of the season, and while all the noises from the Rotherham end is that they want him to fulfil that obligation, January is always a month to make managers and fans nervous.
The dark arts: Rotherham United's Dan Gore pictured tackling Burton's Udoka Godwin-Malife. Gore is enjoying the physical side of League One in his spell with the Millers. (Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe)placeholder image
The dark arts: Rotherham United's Dan Gore pictured tackling Burton's Udoka Godwin-Malife. Gore is enjoying the physical side of League One in his spell with the Millers. (Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe)
For his part, Gore - who scored his first goal for the club in the 7-2 rout of Salford in the Vertu Trophy last week in his 17th appearance of the season - is happy to continue his education with the League One Millers.
“I’m really happy here, I just take it game by game,” said Gore, who stopped short of fully committing.
“I enjoy my time here, we’ll just see what happens.
“Man United have said just keep getting the games under your belt, keep playing well.
“I’m happy here and happy with the progress I’ve made and I’d be happy to stay here.”
From his position as Rotherham’s deep-lying midfielder, he is able to use his body movement and ball-playing ability to get the Millers on the front foot.
He is also pleased with how the uglier side of his game is coming on.
“I’ve always been smaller than opponents so have had to learn to use my body well, but there’s other sides of defending, blocking your man and the dark arts of the game, it’s been good to learn them this season,” said Gore.
“League One has helped me in that regard. In this league you’ve got to put yourself about, everybody knows that, you’ve got to have that in your game otherwise you’re going to struggle.”
And the licence he has been given by Hamshaw to be himself is another reason why Gore is enjoying his most consistent period of senior football.
“The gaffer trusts in everyone, whether you’re an experienced pro or a young pro, everyone deserves to play if you put the effort in in training,” said Gore ahead of Wednesday’s visit of Blackpool.
“He (Hamshaw) gives you the confidence to go and express yourself and be confident on the ball, he just wants me to play how I play.”