Is Jayce Fitzgerald even better than Dan Gore in a Rotherham United shirt?

"Looks like Dan Gore, plays like Dan Gore. Is that a fair comment?"

I'm chatting with Jayce Fitzgerald and comparing him to another young Manchester United loanee who has also made an impact at Rotherham United.

The 19-year-old has heard it many times before, but he answers good-naturedly.

"A lot of people have said it, yeah," he grins.

Fitzgerald is the younger man by three years and is following in the footsteps of Gore who did so well for the Millers last season that he was Player of the Year.

"I'm just going to try to stay in the team," he says.

We're past that point. The midfielder has been so good in recent weeks that there is no way boss Alex Bruce would consider leaving him out.

If the Millers are to climb away from League Two's drop zone, Fitzgerald is going to play an important role in that rise. It's his first loan and he's relishing the step up from junior matches with his parent club to the men's game.

"I'm loving it," he says "I've got a really good group of lads around me. I'm mates with everyone. They've made it even better for me.

"The biggest difference I've noticed in games this season is that in youth football you've not really got someone on you every second you're on the ball, but if you take too many touches in this division, there'll be someone on you. You get less time."

Fitzgerald immediately caught the eye on his Rotherham debut, coming as a 68th-minute substitute on a Tuesday night at Tranmere Rovers and being instrumental in a last-gasp equaliser that earned a 2-2 draw.

"I remember getting shouted on in the second half," he says. "I was excited because it was my proper professional debut. I wasn't really nervous, I just wanted to show everyone what I'm about, really."

With the clock ticking down, the youngster looked up and delivered a glorious 60-yard pass that landed at the feet of Tom Bradshaw who was fouled in the area and then got up to convert the match-saving penalty.

The England youth international bears more than a physical resemblance to his long-time pal, Gore, who is now on loan at League One Luton Town, can be a bit feisty and Fitzgerald is no shrinking violet either. Already, there have been Roundwood skirmishes with fellow midfielders Jamie Jellis and Kian Spence. Nothing serious, but the teenager can look after himself.

"I think people give you a bit of respect when you show that you mean business and you're not just a young kid they can push about," he says.

"Training as you play is really important. The better you train, the better you're going to be on game day. You've been doing it all week, so on Saturday it's just the same.

Thirteen more outings have followed since that September 1 outing at Prenton Park and the last five of them have been starts.

For someone of such a tender age, he makes a lot of right decisions. He'll take a risk now and then but he hardly ever wastes possession.

"That's just how I play," he says. "No matter what level I play at, I'll always be the same. I just try to be calm and do my job. I'm adapting to different playing style here - landing on second balls, stuff like that."

His home is in the north west and he often has company on his commute to training.

"I've done a few car schools," he says. "I've travelled with Sonny (Aljofree), Ash (Ossama Ashley) and Brandon (Williams). "Sometimes I stay in Rotherham, and I've also got the train in a few times recently, just so I don't have to drive and I can have a nice relax."

Technically, Fitzgerald is as excellent as you'd expect from someone who has been nurtured in the Old Trafford academy. The control is instant, he sees a pass, he can run with the ball and he can beat a man. The assists are stacking up - the Tranmere one, a second against Shrewsbury Town, a third at Swindon Town. In fact, only one thing is missing …

"Yeah, it's coming, it's coming," he smiles. "I need a goal. That would be good."

And his mind is as sharp as his feet. There was a moment late last month when the 10-man Millers were awarded a free-kick in dangerous territory at a time when they were 3-2 down against Shrewsbury and chasing an equaliser. The teenager surreptitiously moved the ball a few yards out towards the touchline before his curling delivery allowed Bradshaw to secure a 3-3 draw.

"It was just to create a better angle," he says. "Where the free-kick was given was a bit too close to the box."

Fitzgerald turned to Gore for reassurance in the build-up to his arrival at AESSEAL New York Stadium for a stay that is scheduled to last until the end of the 2026/27 campaign.

"Yeah, we're close friends," he says. "We both live in Manchester. We grew up together, really. It was good that he'd been here and done well. Hopefully I can do the same.

"I spoke to him hen I knew it was going to happen, just to see what it was about. He said he'd loved it here and that it had been a good opportunity for him. He said, just go and have fun and perform well."

So, looks like Dan Gore, plays like Dan Gore.

Actually, he might play even better than Dan Gore.