Young Danish talent Patrick Dorgu seems like he is set to make his move to Old Trafford to receive tutelage from Ruben Amorim. After openly admitting that “We are the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United”. If United are able to bring in Dorgu, how much of a difference will he be able to make?

The Rumours So Far

🚨🔴 Manchester United have sent new bid for Patrick Dorgu, as revealed today.

Proposal now in excess of €30m with club trying to get it done, also after green light from the player from two days ago.

Deal on. 🔛🇩🇰 pic.twitter.com/83UjKZPmjh

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 24, 2025

Manchester United brought in Noussair Mazraoui in this summer’s transfer window. The aim of the signing, to strengthen the wing back position after Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s permanent move to West Ham United. Starting right back at the time was Diogo Dalot who has now found himself shifted onto the other side of the pitch curtesy of a combination of the great performances of Mazraoui and the constant unavailability of Luke Shaw. Across the last two seasons, Shaw has missed a total of 99 matches at both club and international level. That is something that Manchester United needed to address and they have by approaching Leece for Dorgu.

He could even get himself straight into Amorim’s starting lineup as due to the fact that Dalot is not naturally left footed, the preferred foot for a left back, it has caused him problems in transition and delivery into the box. He has been putting up poor displays, but he has to stay there as Manchester United are thin in the left back position.

Amorim’s Plans

Manchester United have completely changed their usual philosophy to allow Ruben Amorim to be able to choose a formation in which has a back three, something that the higher ups at the club were not too keen on in the hiring process. That doesn’t matter now as he is two months into his new role but he needs adjustments to fix the poor string of results looming over United.

The system that Amorim typically uses is a 3-4-2-1 formation, allowing for solid defence and fluid offence. The nature of the shape also allows the shape to change based on whether or not the team is needing to defend on pushing in attack. Passing triangles and overlaps compliment this system well, one of the reasons as to why Dalot is struggling in his stints at left back. Pressing the opposition is key, forcing players into mistakes allows for quick counter attacks where the wing backs can bomb up the field. The fast paced attack can catch out opposition, leading to great chances at goal, including first time whipped in swinging crosses, perfect for those with left feet at left back and right feet for right backs. Similarly, they can drop back and temporarily form a back line of five defenders, loading up in defence to give the attackers as few possibilities to score as they can.

Heading Into The Second Half Of The Season

Playing predominantly in the left back role on the pitch this season, Patrick Dorgu is actually capable of appearing as a left midfielder and also as a right winger, all roles seeing him success. Featuring in 22 matches across both the Serie A and the Coppa Italia, Dorgu has produced three goals and one assist, proving that he can play that wing back role that Amorim requires. He has defensive qualities as well, helping Leece to five clean sheets so far this season. The more detailed stats show that too as over the last 365 days, he has been averaging 2.74 tackles and interceptions, 2.05 attempted take-ons, 2.71 progressive carries and 2.39 touches in the attacking penalty area, all per 90 minutes. The 20 year old is showing great potential to be a key player in this new looking Manchester United system.

Too Much Hype?

£35m for Patrick Dorgu when we literally have a €16m buyback clause for this absolute gem

Embarrassing pic.twitter.com/LjPuZaSier

— ⌖ (@utdhans) January 22, 2025

Some Manchester United fans are not too pleased with this transfer with most of the discourse surrounding the fact that The Red Devils have a young and promising left back that could come back on their books instead. Álvaro Carreras joined Benfica at start of the season for a fee of €6 million. According to those United supporters that watch him doing his thing in Portugal, he has heavily gone under the radar with impressive performances. Manchester United were smart in the sale of Carreras though as they implemented a buy back clause with a value of €16 million. That would be just under less than half the price of the reported €35 million bid put in for Dorgu who is only a year younger. Either way, it is clear that Ruben Amorim needs a left back option in January and Dorgu looks to have a high ceiling for potential and fits the system well. Could it be a match made in heaven?