There was maybe only one thing preventing Manchester United’s summer transfer window being upgraded from a B-plus to an A.
In Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt, Ineos reinforced Erik ten Hag’s backline with two high-class additions. The all-action, one-man tackle machine that is Manuel Ugarte could be the solution to Manchester United’s achilles heel in the centre of the park.
Joshua Zirkzee, meanwhile, had Red Devils fans watering at the mouth with a goal and an assist during the Netherlands’ 5-2 UEFA Nations League hammering of Bosnia.
But there is still one very obvious gap in Ten Hag’s squad. And that is in the left-back position.
Manchester United eye Lecce and Denmark star Patrick Dorgu
With Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia still unavailable, Diogo Dalot and even Lisandro Martinez have been forced to fill in on the opposite flank throughout the first few weeks of the current campaign.
It will come as little surprise, then, to learn that a left-sided full-back is already emerging as a key priority for 2025.
The Sun reports that Fulham speedster Antonee Robinson – one of the most underrated players in the Premier League – is a £30 million target. Juan Cabal has also been linked, via Tutto Juve, despite the fact the Colombia international only joined Juventus from Hellas Verona a couple of months ago.
Another name to keep an eye on, meanwhile, is that of Patrick Dorgu.
HITC reported last week that Man United have joined Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund in scouting the Lecce youngster.
Dorgu, still only 19, enhanced his already burgeoning reputation with a goal 43 seconds into his Denmark debut during the 2-0 Nations League win over Switzerland. Despite being brought on as a left-back, Dorgu popped up on the right wing to open the scoring.
There are buccaneering, attack-minded full-backs. And then there is Patrick Dorgu.
Lecce are clearly in no rush to sell, however. Setting out his stall very early, technical director Pantaleo Corvino tells Telerama that the Serie A outfit have no plans to cash in any time soon.
Not only that, Lecce are determined to extend a contract that still has another three years to run.
“We met with his agents to tell them that we would have extended the boy’s contract because we want to keep him at Lecce,” says Corvino, one of the most renowned talentspotters in Italian football.
“We are fond of him and we believe in his potential.”
Red Devils issued warning by Lecce
Copenhagen-born Dorgu made 32 appearances during his breakout Serie A campaign, scoring twice.
With his 20th birthday still a few weeks away, Dorgu ticks plenty of boxes for a new-look Man United board determined to make Old Trafford home to the best young talent in world football.
The turbo-charged teen would fit in nicely alongside Denmark team-mate Rasmus Hojlund, as well as Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and an 18-year-old Yoro.
“He is an attacking full-back,” Dorgu’s agent told Sport Italia last November, admitting that there was some truth to the reports linking him with Liverpool and Manchester City and highlighting the attributes which appeal to the game’s A-list clubs.
“Offensively, he’s very good and now he’s expressing himself at his best England, Spain, Germany… From different countries, they try to contact me.
“When the time comes, we will know what to do.”
Fabrizio Romano, via his official YouTube channel, reports that Lecce will hold out for a minimum of £30 million.
And while Dorgu is very much a left-back at present, coach Luca Gotti wonders if his prized asset has a future as a winger ahead of him. He draws comparisons with a young Gareth Bale, starting out at Tottenham in a defensive role before blossoming into one of the finest forwards of the modern era.
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