Manchester United’s plan for the wing-back positions next season | OneFootball

Manchester United “remain open” to signing Sporting CP starlet Giovany Quenda this summer, despite the capture of Patrick Dorgu in January.

Dorgu’s Surprise Start

Dorgu, 20, was signed from Serie A side Lecce in the final days of the winter window in a deal worth a potential £30 million. The Danish international is a versatile player who has been deployed at left-back, left wing-back, right wing-back, left-wing and right-wing by Lecce manager Marco Giampaolo.

Dorgu’s primary positions have been at left wing-back – a position which has emerged as a serious problem for Red Devil head coach Ruben Amorim – and right-wing, however.

The lack of a viable option in the United squad to fill the left wing-back slot has hindered Amorim’s ability to effectively implement his trademark 3-4-3 system at Old Trafford.  The club’s executive branch considered it a “critical” position to find a solution to in the transfer market last month, leading to the pursuit of the highly-rated Dorgu.

But this made the Portuguese coach’s choice to give the young Dane his debut in the FA Cup against Leicester City at right wing-back, leaving Diogo Dalot stranded out of position on the left-hand side, so surprising.

In his press-conference after the dramatic 2-1 win, Amorim addressed the tactical decision: “He played a lot of times for Lecce on the right and on the left. That is one of the characteristics we pay attention to…But the position, and you can see on Wyscout, he can play on both sides.”

However, the Manchester Evening News reveals the club envision Dorgu’s future lying at left wing-back, not the right as he is “expected to be primarily used on the left in the future”.

Still on the Hunt for Quenda

The report further states this leaves the right wing-back slot as an area United will look to strengthen in the summer, with Quenda remaining a primary target.

The 17-year-old winger, who has played on both sides for Sporting since emerging from the club’s academy last year under Amorim, is one of the most highly-regarded prospects in his age category throughout Europe, drawing comparisons to Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka.

Amorim is believed to be enamoured by Quenda’s potential as a flying wing-back in his system with the youngster’s contract in Lisbon containing a €100 million release clause, though United’s interest in the 17-year-old predates the Portuguese coach’s arrival in Manchester.

However, a report relayed by The Peoples Person revealed United were “exploring” a deal worth €40 million – a far more manageable outlay for the club’s restricted budget.

Jorge Mendes is negotiating on Quenda’s behalf with the Portuguese agent, who has a strong relationship with Old Trafford officials, met with United in November to discuss the potential transfer.

The Manchester Evening News also reveals a source states Mendes has bought 50% of Quenda’s image rights, further demonstrating his growing influence in the 17-year-old’s career.

Mendes was pivotal in United agreeing a deal to sign Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer; and it now looks like the Portuguese agent could be set to deliver another key player for Amorim in the form of his star pupil in Lisbon.

Featured image Gualter Fatia via Getty Images

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