Why Manchester United should be excited about Patrick Dorgu | OneFootball

It seems as if Lecce are destined to lose Patrick Dorgu this month, with Manchester United’s interest now evolving very quickly.

Over the last few days, the Denmark international has been linked with a move to Napoli and he has also been seen as a target for Juventus, if they lose Andrea Cambiaso. It now seems as if United have stolen the march on the other clubs are now possibly nearing a move for the wing-back.

There is enough reason for United to be excited about Dorgu, who is a left-back or a left wing-back by trade but has shown enough over the season to be treated as an incredibly versatile talent who has carried Lecce’s attack on his shoulders many times.

How Lecce use Patrick Dorgu

Dorgu had joined Lecce in the summer of 2022 but he had played his first season at the Via del Mare for the club’s Primavera side, where he was a regular at left-back under Federico Copitelli. During the 2022/23 season with the Primavera, Dorgu became a star and a constant presence, impressing with his running ability down the left side.

This led to senior debut for the side for the 2023/24 season, where he started at left-back under Roberto D’Aversa but after the Italian’s controversial sacking, things changed under Luca Gotti, who prefers a more structured setup than D’Aversa. As Antonino Gallo became a constant starter at left-back, Dorgu began to be used further up the pitch due to his ability to run with the ball and progression abilities.

Gallo is the more technical of the two players, but Dorgu is a combination of physical strength, running ability and unpredictability, making him a better candidate to play higher up the pitch.

In the summer, Lecce lost Pontus Almqvist to Parma and with him, they lost their most potent attacking threat in the wide areas even if the Swede’s goal contributions were low. With that, the responsibility fell on Dorgu to make a mark.

This has led to Dorgu being used out wide in the forward areas on either side, at right-back and even as a player who can operate centrally. He has constantly been their most reliable ball-carrier and while he is yet to have a neat final ball, he adds a massive net positive to a team that lacks progression. Him and Gallo are the reason why Lecce have gone from a being team that is reliant on progressing from the right to relying on their left side after Almqvist’s exit. That has remained the same under Marco Giampaolo.

Dorgu suits United tactically

Manchester United clearly need wing-backs under Ruben Amorim and Dorgu is a perfect fit for that role due to his physical traits and progression abilities. He can operate on the right when there is a need too, but he can also operate in the wide attacking midfield spots due to his skillset.

For someone who is young and still growing, a manager like Amorim can bring about a new chapter in Dorgu’s career. Lecce are Nordsjaelland are known for youth development and the 20-year-old has come through both, showing that the cream does always rise to the top.

Playing in an attacking setup under Amorim will be a fresh change for Dorgu, who has always operated in pragmatic setups under Marco Giampaolo, Gotti and D’Aversa. He needs that change, especially considering how he can fill in multiple gaps in a poorly assembled United squad that has many holes in it. The squad also lacks ball carriers from deep and Dorgu will add that asset to the side, with Marcus Rashford on his way out.

Major concern?

Manchester United themselves are a major concern, since players do not grow at Old Trafford due to issues related to environment, culture and instability. One look at Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee shows that and these issues can hold back any player, let alone a youth product like Rashford.

Having said that, Dorgu is raw but incredibly talented. He scored on his Denmark debut seconds after coming on and has kept his place in the side. He has a mature head on young shoulders and has constantly been supported by his parents, who watch his games from the stands often. He needs the support of his club to step in smoothly in the middle of the season. He is, after all, making a big jump and patience will be needed for him to come through gradually.

Kaustubh Pandey I GIFN