Manchester United’s transfer window can hardly be called an unqualified success but they at least managed to plug the biggest hole in the squad.
Patrick Dorgu arrives as the undisputed first-choice left wing-back for Ruben Amorim, thereby filling a position that was sticking out like a sore thumb in the Man Utd squad.
Dorgu will provide many qualities to the team that it had been missing, and his age profile means he can be a part of the developing core of Ineos’ young team.
As the details emerge of the transfer upon completion, it is also clear that Ineos are fixing major Glazer errors, with this transfer standing as a shining example of the same.
Patrick Dorgu transfer details
Dorgu’s transfer was a tricky one for United owing to their perilous financial situation and Lecce playing hardball over the transfer fee.
The specter of Napoli and Juventus looming over a potential summer transfer further complicated things but ultimately, United managed to do a nice deal.
United pay an initial £25 million to Lecce, with performance-related add-ons taking it potentially up to £29 million, a fee they will undoubtedly be happy to pay because it means Dorgu has been a success.
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More importantly, Dorgu’s wages are in the region of £40k/week, a far cry from the free-for-all buffet that was seemingly served by the previous administration to new signings.
That wage will go up with time but that works in United’s favour because when Dorgu improves, his wages will too, instead of him asking for a new contract with a potentially bigger raise.
His wage details and United’s proactiveness in getting the deal done in January when summer would have complicated things prove Ineos are fixing major Glazer errors.
Ineos correcting two major Glazer mistakes
Ineos and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have rightly come under a lot of criticism for their decisions off the pitch but on it, their intent has always been clear, even if their action has been questionable sometimes.
With Dorgu’s transfer, another huge step has been taken towards correcting two major mistakes – the wage structure reset that was long overdue, and the dithering on signing players that led to United getting beaten to good deals.
Dorgu’s wage, along with the departures of Marcus Rashford, Antony, and more send a message that the talent needs to justify the wage packet, a long overdue message.
Also, United getting this deal done in January is a departure from the days of every transaction getting the Glazer sign-off in the USA, while other teams happily pounced on the dithering and secured the player for themselves.
The new regime hasn’t been perfect by any means but at least the vision is clear after a long time. They deserve time and patience.
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