Manchester United in talks to sign Patrick Dorgu from Lecce

Manchester United are in talks to sign left-back Patrick Dorgu from Lecce.

Discussions have begun over the 20-year-old as United line up options ahead of making decisions on ins and outs this month.

Nothing is yet agreed but dialogue is progressing with head coach Ruben Amorim keen to add reinforcements in the January window amid a run of form that has seen his new side slip to just 10 points above the Premier League’s relegation zone.

Dorgu, who has been capped four times by Denmark, has made 43 first-team appearances for Lecce having joined from Danish club Nordsjælland in 2022. He has scored three times in Serie A this term.

He signed a new contract in October that runs until 2028.

United’s squad is in need of more players suited to Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation with Dorgu, who has featured on both flanks, seen as one of that profile.

Diogo Dalot is a specialist right-back yet has been deployed in the left-wing back role, while first-choice left-back Luke Shaw has been yet to make a start in any competition this season due to injuries, having been limited to just 12 Premier League starts in 2023-24.

The Athletic reported earlier in January that United were exploring a loan exit for left-back Tyrell Malacia.

The right-sided wing-back role has most often been filled by Amad, who is naturally a wide forward, or the versatile defender Noussair Mazraoui, who joined from Bayern Munich in the summer.

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Analysis by Manchester United correspondent Mark Critchley

After nailing their colours to the Amorim mast, United need to significantly reshape the squad so that it suits his 3-4-2-1 system and no more so than at wing-back.

United’s system requires players in those positions who have the athleticism and physicality to dominate an entire flank contributing at both ends of the pitch.

Left wing-back is especially a priority. United spent the vast majority of last season without a natural left-footed full-back due to Shaw and Malacia’s lack of availability. Shaw’s injury problems have persisted, while Malacia appears unfancied by Amorim.

Dalot has deputised in the role so far but is naturally a full-back and lacks some of the attacking thrust which made Amorim’s wing-backs such an integral part of his system at Sporting CP.

Dorgu, meanwhile, is left-footed and has even operated as a right winger for Lecce this season, with three goals and one assist for the relegation-threatened Serie A side.

Should the Denmark international become Amorim’s first signing, the hope would be that he provides the dynamism on the left flank that United have been sorely lacking during his first two months in charge.

(Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)