‘I would have already bought him a plane ticket’… Ex-Lecce captain speaks on Patrick Dorgu to Manchester United

Manchester United are set to wrap up a move for Lecce wing-back Patrick Dorgu.

Patrick Dorgu is due at Carrington to undergo a medical at Manchester United, where he will become the club’s first major January signing.

Dorgu’s move is about United investing in youth and strengthening the defence, with the club spending an initial £24 million to bring him on board.

The 20-year-old has areas he can improve, but adds crucial balance to the team, a genuine left-wing back capable of fitting in Ruben Amorim’s system.

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Patrick Dorgu deserves move

Patrick Dorgu fought for his move amid Lecce’s initial resistance to sell him. The Serie A side eventually relented, bringing in a replacement a few days ago.

Lecce have made a handsome profit on the £200,000 they signed Dorgu for. And while they tried to stand in his way, this is the right move for all parties concerned.

Former Lecce captain Fabio Lucioni told TMW he is glad to see Dorgu get the move, and said he would have encouraged him to grab the opportunity.

Lucioni said: “I would have already bought him a plane ticket. I say this in a positive sense, because he is a boy who has made an important journey in the youth sector.

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“He has shown that he can compete in a higher level of football than the one you experience in Lecce. So it’s right that he goes.”

Lucioni is referring to Dorgu’s international success with Denmark, where he scored just minutes into his debut for the club.

Dorgu ready to seize opportunity

Patrick Dorgu has excelled at every level early in his career to date, and now he is taking a big step up to the Premier League.

It will be an increase in intensity compared to Serie A, yet his game is well suited to it. Lecce’s sporting director claims he ‘runs like three players’, while he has been compared to Bukayo Saka.

Manchester United were linked to Dorgu back in September before Ruben Amorim took charge, and the shift in coach has made him a real perfect fit from a tactical perspective.

United had considered re-signing Alvaro Fernandez as an alternative, but have chosen to bring in Dorgu, who dropped a hint about a move after United’s win over Fulham.

He won’t be signed in time to play against FCSB, with United already travelling to Romania, but an inclusion in the squad to face Crystal Palace at the weekend is not out of the question.

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