Manchester United’s chase of Patrick Dorgu has ensured that other club targets have taken a backseat, including the most unexpected one of January.
Nene Dorgeles was Man Utd’s most unexpected transfer target this January when it was revealed that United had asked for information on Dorgeles.
Dorgeles’ association with Red Bull made it a quintessential Christopher Vivell move but that trail has since gone lukewarm as United concentrated on higher-priority positions to strengthen.
The Malian, meanwhile, just appeared in his biggest test of the season so far when his RB Salzburg side faced Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Nene Dorgeles vs Real Madrid for RB Salzburg
RB Salzburg haven’t had the best of times in the Champions League this season, sitting third from bottom, just above the only two sides who haven’t won any of their seven games!
Salzburg have won just one of their seven games and are already out of the Champions League this season but the Real Madrid game was a good test for their young team.
Dorgeles has been in and out of the team for Salzburg this season but he was trusted to start as one of the two strikers in a flat 4-4-2 formation against Madrid.
Needless to say, Dorgeles was dealt a brutal hand at the Santiago Bernabeu, as Madrid predictable dominated possession and territory en route to a 5-1 win.
However, Dorgeles was still one of the most positive players on the pitch with his incisive running and forward passing.
He played 63 minutes, coming off when the scoreline read 4-0, but he could hardly be blamed for that situation. During his 63 minutes, he created one chance, had one shot on target, and completed his sole dribble.
In true RB fashion, he also showed defensive intensity with one interception and recovering the ball two times. Man Utd fans should be encouraged by the fact that he made the most of a thankless situation and playing in a position that doesn’t come naturally to him.
Dorgeles cements what Man Utd should expect from him
The 22-year-old’s display cemented what the club should expect from him if/when he signs, this January or the next summer.
Dorgeles is a project player who has the raw tools to develop into a versatile asset with perfect intangibles.
He struggles with physicality at times but is always up for the fight and his footballing intelligence is already beyond his young age, as evidenced by the runs he makes into the channels and how he shows for the ball in the right positions.
Chastening experiences like this one against Madrid will only serve to accelerate his development as this was a game where he couldn’t rely on territorial dominance by Salzburg to dribble past players.
The result is certainly not what he would have wanted but on a personal level, he showed enough to convince United that he’s worth taking a chance on.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
