Patrick Dorgu Stats: Why Man United want to sign the all-action Lecce star

 

When Ruben Amorim took over at Manchester United, one of the areas most in need of improvement was at wing-back. The former Sporting CP coach favours a three-man backline, and there is a huge importance on the attacking width coming at right and left wing-back. United, though, were a side assembled with a view to playing a 4-2-3-1 setup under Erik ten Hag. 

 

 

Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui are two solid full-backs, but lack the attacking thrust to excel in Amorim’s system. Amad impressed at right wing-back, though has since been pushed into one of two attacking roles alongside Bruno Fernandes. As such, links with a move for Lecce youngster Patrick Dorgu shouldn’t come as a surprise. 

 

Reports on Monday morning suggested that United had initiated talks with Lecce over a January move. An agreement isn’t in place but dialogue is progressing as the board look to assemble a squad to suit Amorim’s needs. The 39-year-old hasn’t made the best start to life at Old Trafford – United have picked up just 11 points from 11 league games under the Portuguese boss – but much of that is down to inheriting a squad built to suit a previous regime. 

 

Even so, United look to the wings to hurt opponents. Only 23% of their attacks come through the middle, the joint-lowest return in the Premier League, while 42% come down the left, the third highest in the division. Unsurprisingly, United have developed a statistically calculated WhoScored style of play of ‘Attacking down the left’. Signing a left wing-back is key, then, if they are to make the most of the chances down the side of the pitch, and there are few better suited to Amorim’s demands than Dorgu. 

 

Lecce hardly favour a three-man backline, but in turn; Dorgu hasn’t been restricted to just playing at left-back. Indeed, his playing positions in Serie A this season show the 20-year-old playing a number of roles, ranging from the left wing, to the right flank, and even in central midfield. The versatility has helped develop his game to carry out any number of duties, whether it’s cutting in from the right onto his favoured left foot, or needing to help out defensively. 

 

 

"He seems to have great adaptability," former Lecce boss Luca Gotti said at the end of last season, even going as far as comparing Dorgu to Gareth Bale. The Welsheman famously began his career as a left-back before establishing himself as one of the finest forwards on the continent. While the offensive output doesn’t make for great reading – Dorgu is averaging 0.9 key passes and 0.6 successful dribbles per 90 in Serie A this season – it’s worth noting the Dane is operating for a Lecce side that is returning the fifth lowest possession average (44%) in Italy’s top tier. The priority is to protect his side’s goal rather than bombard upfield. This would undoubtedly change under Amorim. 

 

Even so, Dorgu boasts the standing to muscle opponents off the ball when needs must. Only Alieu Fadera (123) has won more ground duels than Dorgu (113) in Serie A this season, which is key for a United side that is looking to improve upon a record of 32 goals conceded in England’s top tier this term, that in itself hardly the worst record in the division, but one that can certainly be improved upon. 

 

Lecce are believed to be holding out for around €40m for Dorgu this month, and it would be well within United’s best interests to stump up that fee for a player who’ll prove an immediate upgrade on Amorim’s options down the left.

Patrick Dorgu Stats: Why Man United want to sign the all-action Lecce star