94% passing accuracy, POTM award – Patrick Dorgu’s Manchester United transfer will unleash “incredible” Noussair Mazraoui

Manchester United are planning to sign Lecce star Patrick Dorgu in the January transfer window and he could help unleash one of Ruben Amorim’s star men.

Ruben Amorim is in desperate need of signings at Manchester United this month, particularly in the wingback positions.

The new head coach has started to implement his 3-4-3 system but there is a lot of importance on the two players who provide the width in the formation.

For the most part, Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui have been operating in these positions and it is clear that neither of them suit the role Amorim wants.

Various reports this week have suggested that Patrick Dorgu could be the club’s first signing under Amorim, with Lecce in discussions with United over a potential £30 million move.

Why Dorgu transfer will help Mazraoui

Dorgu is a promising attack-minded player who could play on either wingback, but it is more likely that he will operate from the left should a deal be completed.

This would not only provide Amorim with a more natural option for the position, but it would also have a knock-on impact that could help one player in particular.

Mazraoui has been struggling in recent weeks playing as one of the wingbacks but it was not so long ago that United fans were praising the club for securing his signing from Bayern Munich in the summer.

The Moroccan joined the club for just £13 million and was providing solid performances under Erik ten Hag until he was sacked. He then immediately showed his qualities in a new position under Amorim.

Playing as the right centre-back in Amorim’s back three, Mazraoui looked like the perfect fit for the position – his comfortability in possession and ability to jump into the press were helping United try and dominate games, even if the results were inconsistent.

In his first two games under Amorim, Mazraoui completed 219 passes at a completion rate of 94%. He also won the club’s Player of the Month award in November.

However, after playing six matches in a row in the back three, Amorim decided to move Mazraoui to wingback where he has played since.

It may have been a decision Amorim felt forced into doing as he needed Amad to play further forward due to Mason Mount’s injury, Alejandro Garnacho’s form and Marcus Rashford’s situation – but one thing is clear: it has not worked.

Mazraoui is much less influential as the wingback and does not have the attacking firepower Amorim needs in the position. He can still link play well when the ball moves to him but he is no longer helping conduct United’s buildup like he was in Amorim’s early fixtures.

Bringing in Dorgu as a wingback should allow Mazraoui to move backwards and, in turn, help United move forwards. Amorim is putting a lot of emphasis on the team improving their build-up play and it looked at its best when Mazraoui was in that backline.

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During that run of form after he took over, the Portuguese boss described Mazraoui as “incredible” and the “kind of player we need” and hopefully he can return to those levels through Amorim returning him to the position where he was excelling.

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