It is now 24 hours since Manchester United slipped to a catastrophic defeat by the hands of their rivals on Sunday.
No matter you concentrate on the legality of Erling Haaland’s second-half aim, this was a nightmare efficiency from Michael Carrick’s males. Maybe the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer curse has returned.
To this point, United have gained simply as soon as within the league this season and the positivity that had engulfed Outdated Trafford on the again finish of 2025/26 has been eradicated. This seems to be like Solskjaer, Ruben Amorim and Erik ten Hag yet again. Maybe that is simply what followers might want to get used to.
Will United ever be again? Effectively, it is troublesome to see a transparent imaginative and prescient for the longer term proper now. If they’re to go to the subsequent degree, nevertheless, they should enhance their backline. The efficiency of full-back Patrick Dorgu was significantly abject on Sunday afternoon.
The massive downside with Patrick Dorgu at Man Utd
Over the summer season, supporters knew that United wanted to signal a left-back. Lewis Corridor was the primary goal however after a summer season during which Newcastle had offered all of their star gamers and misplaced their supervisor, the Englishman was pressured to remain. He has now signed a brand new contract at St James’ Park.
Barcelona full-back Alejandro Balde was additionally linked regularly, whereas Joaquin Seys at Membership Brugge was an possibility. Nevertheless, no transfer was forthcoming late within the window.
That appears to have been a mistake judging by the opening weeks of the season. Certainly, there was all the time a worry concerning what would occur if Luke Shaw received injured. Lo and behold, he wasn’t match for the derby and Dorgu delivered a particularly worrying efficiency whereas taking part in as understudy.
Since arriving at Man Utd as a left-back, he has been something however that. Amorim performed him as a left wing-back and underneath Carrick up to now, he has moonlighted as a winger. It is a massive situation. Going ahead, the Dane is not terrible. Keep in mind that aim towards Arsenal final time period? He’s a menace.
But, that is Manchester United, the good Manchester United. It is a workforce which have had a few of the best wingers in Premier League historical past, mainly Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs. For followers to see Dorgu working down the flanks is one thing of an insult.
The difficulty is that whereas he has delivered inconsistent performances whereas taking part in as a ahead, he isn’t a lot of a defender both. The Metropolis sport showcased that.
|
Dorgu vs Man Metropolis |
|
|---|---|
|
Minutes performed |
90 |
|
Touches |
68 |
|
Dribbles |
0 |
|
Pictures |
0 |
|
Key passes |
1 |
|
Correct passes |
37/41 (90%) |
|
Defensive contributions |
9 |
|
Tackles |
3 |
|
Ball recoveries |
3 |
|
Duels gained |
7/12 |
|
Fouls |
3 |
Earlier than his sending-off, Dorgu gave Foden the liberty of the pitch to assault down the right-hand facet and he was additionally considerably at fault for the aim. He was too sluggish to get out to Josko Gvardiol and the ball deflected off him kindly for Haaland to prod dwelling on the again put up.
So, what is the resolution? Effectively, there are just a few younger choices coming via.
Man Utd’s Patrick Dorgu resolution
When analysing the crop of younger defenders coming via at United many will level within the course of 19-year-old Harry Amass.
If Carrick is to strive one thing new then he seems to be just like the almost certainly possibility. {The teenager} performed the ultimate 18 minutes of the 4-0 win over Sabah within the Champions League final week.
But, there’s one other resolution and he goes by the title of Diego Leon. It’s possible you’ll not know a lot about him and that is as a result of he solely signed a 12 months in the past, arriving from Paraguayan membership Cerro Porteno for a charge of round £6m.
It was a left-field deal however signing the very best younger expertise from South America is all of the vary now. It is the carried out factor, did not you recognize?
Already capped as soon as by Paraguay, the 19-year-old is but to play a aggressive sport for the Crimson Devils however caught the attention within the U21s final time period, proving to be an everyday starter in Premier League 2.
So, what’s he all about? Effectively, within the phrases of Como scout Ben Mattinson, he’s a “powerhouse” of a full-back. What stands out most is his physicality.
As Mattinson outlines, Leon has a “broad, compact construct that permits him to dominate duels with actual aggression regardless of his younger age.”
He continued: “The mix of his pace, preliminary acceleration, means to alter course fast and dribble out tight areas are why he’s carried out nicely at senior degree already.”
Given the depth and the physicality of the Premier League, that bodes actually slightly nicely for United and the participant.
But, what is the all about defensively? Sturdy and bodily, he is set in that regard however given his age, there are issues to work on, significantly his consciousness and the way he channels his aggression. He is a marauding left-back too, that means he might want to work out when to go ahead and when to maintain his place. It is all about being positionally disciplined.
Nonetheless, this can be a younger expertise with a lot potential. His skillset is eye-catching and that is exactly why he was signed by United. It is a pity he hasn’t performed for the senior facet but however it will not be too lengthy given the performances of Dorgu and the harm report of Shaw.
