Manchester United academy chief Nick Cox is delighted seeing Dan Gore taste first team action.

The midfielder made his debut in last week's Carabao Cup win against Crystal Palace.

Cox told Inside United: “The manager has been clear in several interviews in the last year or so, that he doesn't do young players favours. You have to earn the right and the opportunity to play, and so, by the fact that he has made his debut, come off the bench, that would indicate he has earnt every moment of that but it's been a very long journey and a lot of hard work to get that moment in the spotlight.

“I think it's fair to say that even Dan himself would reference the fact that he knows that he's got a long way to go, and a lot of work to do, in order to establish himself as a genuine first-team player, but it's not an easy thing to do - only 247 people in our history have done it and I think only 500-odd people have played for us since the Second World War - and so it's so important that we do acknowledge it and we do celebrate.

“I'm sure Dan and his family will have spent time celebrating, albeit Dan would have been back on the training pitch the following morning, committing to improving further."