A club president has explained how he was shocked at Manchester United’s offer for a ‘devastating’ star last year.
Manchester United were active in the transfer market last year, with six first-team signings coming into the club over the two windows.
At the beginning of 2025, the Reds signed Patrick Dorgu from Lecce and also secured a deal for Arsenal youngster Ayden Heaven.
The summer window’s priority was improving attack, with Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Šeško and Bryan Mbeumo coming in. Senne Lammens was also brought in.
There have been question marks over some of the signings but all of the players seem to have a bright future at Old Trafford.
Club president shocked at United offer for ‘devastating’ star
Out of the 2025 signings at United, Dorgu has probably experienced the most difficulties so far, with the Dane struggling to thrive in the left wingback role.
United signed him from Lecce in January last year for £25 million and it was an offer which shocked the Italian club’s president Sticchi Damiani.
Speaking about the move, Damiani has explained how he did not want to sell Dorgu in the mid-season window but was ‘taken aback’ by United’s eagerness to complete a deal.
“It hurt because I had to contradict myself,” he told TuttoSport. “I truly thought I wouldn’t be selling anyone in January, but we didn’t expect that increase from United. We were also taken aback by the English club’s absolute unwillingness to postpone the deal until the following June.
“Technically, we were comfortable. We had Pierotti, who was ready. At that historic moment, Dorgu was paradoxically a replaceable player. Despite his great value, because he was systematically deployed on the right, as an inverted winger. A position in which he lost much of his potential.
“I’m seeing him back in his natural position in Manchester, where he devastates opponents.”
Dorgu has room to grow
It is clear that Damiani feels that Dorgu’s best position is on the right flank, and that is where he has impressed most in recent weeks.
Funnily enough, that is also where Amorim started playing him after he signed for the club but he quickly changed to the left side and has stuck there for the most part.
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Dorgu is still only 21 years old and has plenty of room to grow but United fans will be hoping that he can provide attacking quality more often going forward.
United pushed hard to sign him last January and while he might have not been ready to compete then, he is progressing and getting better as he gets more experience in the Premier League.
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