Manchester United have won each of their last three home games in the Premier League to kickstart their campaign on the domestic front – but one star abroad who they opted not to sign is shining, and it feels like they’ve missed the boat.
Ruben Amorim’s side began the season without a victory in three games, including United’s shock Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby Town to ask questions over his future.
That has since been negated. Three Premier League home wins on the bounce have seen Manchester United climb into the top half of the table, and although they’ve suffered two away defeats, it’s still a marked improvement on last season.
Various stars have come to the fore, including maestro Bruno Fernandes and new summer signing Bryan Mbeumo, as well as young goalkeeper Senne Lammens making his debut in the 2-0 win over Sunderland at the weekend.
However, one star that they failed to sign in Paris Saint-Germain defender Nuno Mendes feels like a missed opportunity.
Man United failed in Nuno Mendes January transfer and he’s now on fire for PSG
Back in January, United were linked with a move for Nuno Mendes but they didn’t quite have the funds to complete a deal for the Portuguese star.
Mendes burst onto the scene at Sporting Lisbon, coincidentally when Amorim was the manager of the Primeira Liga champions, and a reunion looked as though it could have been on the cards.
Mendes thrived in Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation in the Portuguese capital, and would have been the ideal addition to his ranks with some energetic displays on the left flank.
Since the failed move in the winter window, Mendes has gone from strength to strength, winning the Champions League and scoring in both quarter final legs vs Aston Villa, as well as being a key figure in Ligue 1 and for his country with six assists and a goal in just 10 games for Portugal.
That form has continued into this season, with two goal contributions in two tough Champions League games against Atalanta and Barcelona, while Mendes scored his first goal of the campaign against Lille in a 1-1 draw on Sunday afternoon.
It may have been an unattainable transfer, but the Ballon d’Or nominee is in the form of his life and it undoubtedly feels like a missed opportunity by Amorim.
- READ MORE: Mason Mount goal for Man Utd matched Premier League record, it’s exactly what Ruben Amorim asked for
Nuno Mendes would have proven better Man United signing than Patrick Dorgu
Instead, Patrick Dorgu came to Old Trafford to feature in the left wing-back role.
Danish star Dorgu joined from Italian side Lecce in February and played a key part in United’s Europa League run, though he featured heavily in their eight-game winless streak in the Premier League towards the end of the season.
Whilst he’s not been their worst player by providing energy, physicality and an assist in the huge win over Chelsea, Dorgu just isn’t anywhere near Mendes’ levels.
Since the end of the winter transfer window, Dorgu has provided just two assists for the club in all competitions and no goals. Mendes already has four goal contributions this season, as well as eight in the second half of last season alone.
| Competition | Nuno Mendes – goal contributions | Patrick Dorgu – goal contributions |
|---|---|---|
| League | 5 | 1 |
| National cups | 1 | 0 |
| European competition | 6 | 1 |
| International caps | 7 | 2 |
Although Dorgu has impressed in patches, having Mendes in their ranks would have elevated United to a higher echelon and they could have been a lot closer to their European ambitions.
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