Patrick Dorgu was one of two arrivals for Manchester United in the January transfer window.
Since Ruben Amorim became Manchester United head coach, the first-team team has continued to struggle on the pitch.
The struggles were to be expected for Amorim as fans have seen many of these players underwhelm under previous managers. The Portuguese coach is also trying to implement a new system with his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation.
United are having teething problems with the new system because the squad was built – by Erik ten Hag – to play a completely different style. One that lacked the physicality required for the Premier League.
The most problematic area in the team has been at left-back, where United have been without their primary option for over two years. Luke Shaw is set to return to training next week but he’s unlikely to challenge new signing Patrick Dorgu for a place in the team.
Shaw will likely become a back-up option following Tyrell Malacia’s loan switch to PSV Eindhoven.
The importance of Dorgu’s arrival shouldn’t be underestimated. He may be 20-years-old but United were adamant about signing him now rather than waiting until the summer.
Patrick Dorgu was Manchester United’s prime target
Manchester United had a short list of left wing-back options to explore at the beginning of January, but there was one clear favourite as far as Amorim was concerned.
President of Lecce, Saverio Sticchi Damiani, has spoken at a press conference to explain Dorgu’s transfer to United.
Lecce stressed that United were adamant in trying to get the deal done this month as they didn’t want to wait until the summer.
Damiani told Planeta Lecce: “After the first peremptory ‘no’ there was a return from Manchester United, which in addition to being even more determined in the negotiations communicated this will to us. By asking to postpone to July, we clashed with the will of the Manchester club and it’s coach to take the boy either now, or, a message given to us and unfortunately also to the boy and his entourage, it is no longer done.”
This message from the Lecce president proves that Dorgu was the player Amorim wanted as a new left wing-back.
In recent weeks, Amorim has had to play Diogo Dalot in the left wing-back role, which has been far from ideal because it is not the Portuguese star’s preferred flank.
Essential step for Amorim’s system
United are gradually learning how to play the way Amorim wants.
It will take time but the task becomes harder with every game we lose.
In terms of trying to convince the United first-team that his ways will take us forward, it doesn’t help when United are losing 2-0 to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.
These results are hurting the team but the arrival of Dorgu will help Amorim implement his wing-back system.
Trying to play such a system without proper wing-backs has proven to be a disaster for United this season.
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