Manchester United’s squad has been torn apart over the past few weeks, with Ruben Amorim needing new solutions to problem positions.
With AFCON and a mounting injury list, Manchester United’s options in several positions have been wiped out recently, setting the scene for new players to step up and become match winners.
Ruben Amorim has debuted three academy players over this period, with more likely to come as the doubts over his trust in youth get dispelled.
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However, it hasn’t just been academy players who have stepped up for United, with Joshua Zirkzee playing a lot more football recently.
But in particular, the change has been pretty drastic for one player.
Sticchi Damiani on Patrick Dorgu at Manchester United
With United’s senior right-wing options both currently at AFCON, it has been Patrick Dorgu stepping into the position.
Dorgu was phenomenal for United vs Newcastle, and now one year on from making the move, the Danish international’s former club president at Lecce has discussed the deal.
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Speaking with Tuttosport, Lecce president Sticchi Damiani commented on the move United made to sign Dorgu last January.
“It hurt because I had to contradict myself. I truly thought I wouldn’t be selling anyone in January, but we didn’t expect that increase from United. We were also taken aback by the English club’s absolute unwillingness to postpone the deal until the following June.
“Technically, we were comfortable. We had Pierotti, who was ready. At that historic moment, Dorgu was paradoxically a replaceable player. Despite his great value, because he was systematically deployed on the right as an inverted winger. A position in which he lost much of his potential.”
Continuing, Damiani praised Dorgu for being back at right wing recently for United.
“I’m seeing him back in his natural position [RW] in Manchester, where he devastates opponents.”
Dorgu looked so comfortable on the right and was a lot better than he had been on the left for the past 12 months.
Patrick Dorgu needs to start at right wing against Leeds United
Dorgu shone against Newcastle in a more advanced right-sided role, but against Wolves, this didn’t continue.
Gary Neville criticised Amorim for playing Dorgu on the left, trying to fix what wasn’t broken, and ultimately, United were worse in this game.
What is your message to Ruben Amorim ahead of Man Utd’s visit to Leeds?
What does he need to change after the Wolves draw?
So against Leeds, Amorim needs to revert to the back four with wingers, and this includes Dorgu on the right, where he thrived.
United will hope to have Amad or Bryan Mbeumo back in the next two weeks, but this weekend and against Burnley, it should be Dorgu who starts at right back.
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