Patrick Dorgu has completed his move to Manchester United, becoming Ruben Amorim’s second signing in the North West.
The 20-year-old Copenhagen-born full-back attracted the attention of officials several months ago and received immediate approval from the former Sporting chief.
With 57 senior Lecce appearances under his belt, Dorgu offers a unique option unmatched within this United squad and comfortably facilitates roles on either wing in defence and attack.
Negotiations concluded swiftly, with the clubs agreeing on an additional €4 million in performance-related add-ons to compliment United’s desired €30m approach.
He has signed a five-year deal with an option for a sixth and will link up with his new teammates in the coming days, marking the second tailored acquisition for United’s new-look structure.
“I am incredibly proud to be able to call myself a Manchester United player; this is a very special day for my whole family,” Dorgu said.
“I cannot wait to work with Ruben Amorim; his vision for this team and the future of the club is incredibly exciting. There is a clear plan set out for my development, and I feel that Manchester United is the perfect place to fulfil my potential and complete my huge ambitions.”
Patrick Dorgu is very much a Ruben Amorim signing
As we have previously covered, versatility is a fundamental consideration for any signing, and Dorgu presents an undeniable skillset to accommodate a modern tactical approach.
Consider his 23 appearances in Italian football this season: 12 have come in roles on the right side, with 11 coming on his favoured left flank. Furthermore, 12 have come in defensive or full-back settings, while the rest have seen the player deployed in a wing-forward capacity.
| Serie A 2024-25 | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Right winger | 10 | 3 | |
| Left-back | 7 | 1 | |
| Left midfield | 3 | ||
| Right-back | 2 | ||
| Left winger | 1 |
Like Geovany Quenda at Sporting, Dorgu developed as an attacking player who often towered over his opponents in size and stature throughout the youth ranks.
As he gained traction at the senior level, his athleticism was a notable asset and exploited in the modern full-back capacity to power back and forth on the touchline, inevitably offering a threat in attack and a constant presence in defence.
Quenda rose to prominence through the Sporting ranks for his pace and flair. Amorim began to utilise this as a focal point in his 3-2-4-1 system on the wing, and the Portuguese tactician sees Dorgu in a similar light.
| Patrick Dorgu vs top five Euro leagues | Per 90 minutes |
| Shots (total) | 1.64 |
| Shot-creating actions | 2.48 |
| Progressive passes | 2.31 |
| Progressive carries | 2.82 |
| Touches (attacking penalty area) | 2.35 |
| Progressive passes received | 5.5 |
As the above figures highlight, we see an attack-minded full-back who craves the ball in the final third. Notably, he achieved these figures in a side struggling to maintain their top-tier status.
The rise of Dorgu has been steady, and Denmark senior manager Brian Riemer was keen to maximise the youngster at the earliest possible opportunity. He has clocked up four appearances in a matter of months, notching his first international goal after 42 seconds in his debut outing in May 2024.
Although Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos team are fighting to overcome the potential damage of a Profit and sustainability slap on the wrist, Amorim insisted it was imperative to sign a left-sided full-back during the January window.
For troubled Reds, it is now a case of supporting their new arrival during his integration, with optimism for the future of the left-back slot at the club.
Are you happy that Patrick Dorgu has arrived at Manchester United mid-season?
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