Ruben Amorim made a key signing in January. (Image: Getty)
It’s been a difficult month for on the field, but in Patrick Dorgu, they’ve found reason to be positive off it. The highly-rated 20-year-old has signed from Lecce for an initial £25milliion fee, ’s biggest capture in the transfer window.
Despite the Danish international’s potential, the move can be considered something of a gamble, given that Dorgu remains largely unproven at the top level.
However, not only has Amorim addressed arguably his most problematic position since taking over, Dorgu’s shirt number will have United fans dreaming he can have the same impact as a former club hero.
The Nordsjaelland youth product has been handed the No.13 jersey. It was the same one worn by South Korean star Park Ji-Sung between 2005 and 2012, widely considered one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s most underrated players during his legendary tenure.
Park made 205 appearances for the club, scoring 27 goals, but stats alone cannot do justice to his impact at Old Trafford. Park’s work rate and versatility saw him play both defensive and attacking roles as well as his favoured midfield slot under Ferguson. He helped the club to four title wins.
A measure of how highly regarded he was by his iconic Scottish boss came in 2008, when Park was left out of the United squad for the final despite starting both semi-final legs against . Ferguson later labelled the decision “the hardest” he’d ever made at United.
Patrick Dorgu arrives at Old Trafford. (Image: Getty)
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Like Park, Dorgu is also capable of filling multiple roles. Primarily a left-sided defender, where the Red Devils have been forced to use makeshift options amid the injury problems of Tyrell Malacia and , the youngster has already proved his adaptability.
He started all of Lecce’s Serie A games this season before sealing his switch to Manchester. And he adeptly filled the roles of left-back, right-back, left-wing and right-wing under ex-manager Marco Giampaolo.
Like Park, Dorgu’s stand-out qualities include his tireless running and ability to cover every blade of grass over 90 minutes. Thus far in his career, he’s also avoided any long-term injuries, a refreshing notion for United fans given .
If Dorgu can produce a seven-year stint at United that proves as effective as what Park did with the No.13 on his back, then it will be £25m extremely well spent.