Rasmus Hojlund of Atalanta has been acquired by Manchester United, and it appears that Erik ten Hag is now focusing on Sofyan Amrabat of Fiorentina. The Dutchman previously served as the midfield guru’s coach at FC Utrecht.

What’s new with Amrabat going to Manchester United?

While the Premier League club are reportedly “working on” a deal to bring the 26-year-old Moroccan international to Old Trafford this summer, according to recent reporting by journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Red Devils have not yet submitted an offer for the player.

Amrabat might join Mason Mount, United’s new number seven, in bolstering the midfield ranks in time for the upcoming season as players like Fred and Donny van de Beek may be on the move.

The most recent Manchester United transfer news can be found HERE.

Recent sources have said that the 6 foot 1 powerhouse, who was born in the Netherlands, is expected to demand a cost of approximately £25 million, with just a year remaining on his contract, if the Red Devils are to intensify their interest in the player.

Despite the excitement surrounding the potential signing of the former Club Brugge player, it may be worthwhile to consider whether Ten Hag could look to the academy ranks instead of again entering the market in order to strengthen his options in the centre of the park. Teenage sensation Dan Gore is one player who appears deserving of a more prominent role.

Dan Gore, who is he?

Kobbie Mainoo had been a household name due to his brilliant midfield performances prior to his frustrating injury setback that has kept him out of the first half of the new season. The 18-year-old had a “fantastic game” against rivals Arsenal, in the words of club legend Denis Irwin, after contributing to both goals on the day.

Mainoo, a promising English player who made three first-team appearances for Ten Hag’s squad last season, is expected to stick around rather than go on loan this year after being hailed as a “exceptional prospect” by Manchester Evening News journalist Steven Railston.

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However, the highly regarded ace is not the only player to have shone in recent weeks. Young Gore, who is 18 years old, also made a strong impression after his performance against Lyon last month, for which Marc Mayo of the Evening Standard wrote: “Showed lovely close control, work-rate and technique throughout.”

‘Big things are expected’ of the young prodigy, who helped Van de Beek score the game’s lone goal against the Ligue 1 team and who, as Mayo stated, won the Denzil Haroun Reserve-Team Player of the Year award last season.

Despite having been somewhat harshly dismissed in the most recent friendly loss to Wrexhman, Gore may be deserving of an opportunity to consistently impress Ten Hag in the senior setup next season after playing “superb” with Mainoo in last year’s FA Youth Cup victory.

The £1.4k per week player, who generally plays in a deep-lying midfield position like Amrabat, has received praise for his recent performance at the young level, according to academy boss Mark Dempsey.

He’s one of those players who gets supporters up from their seats, so I enjoy to watch him play football. He bumps into people, but technically he is great and has been all season. He has served as captain on several occasions, and despite being a quiet youngster, he is a leader.

Such gushing praise is evidence of the skill Ten Hag has at his disposal, and it would be unfortunate if the acquisition of a player like Amrabat ultimately hampered Mainoo’s and his growth.