Move over Dorgu: Man Utd could regret selling £15m Solskjaer signing
da mrbet： Transfer deadline day was a quiet time for Manchester United.
da dobrowin： Ruben Amoirm’s side did not make any last-minute additions to their squad, although did miss out on signing Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich on loan. He ended up at Tottenham Hotspur, who have a £45m buy option. Rumour has it, that United did not want to spend the £5m loan fee Bayern wanted.
However, they did bring in a couple of defensive additions earlier in the window. One of those signings was Ayden Heaven from Arsenal. The Hale End academy graduate cost an undisclosed compensation fee, with his contract expiring in the summer.
The other defensive signing United made was to bring Patrick Dorgu to the club.
Why Man United signed Dorgu
Whilst, technically, this was a defensive signing, left wing-back Dorgu will add some much-needed attacking impetus at wing-back in Ruben Amorim’s back three system. It is an area they have struggled in this season, hence the £25m addition of the Dane from Serie A side Lecce.
If there is one thing Dorgu will bring to Old Trafford, it is that quality in the final third. His record this season for Lecce proves that, given he has three goals and one assist in 21 Serie A appearances this term.
Impressively, the 20-year-old Denmark international, who is a teammate of United stars Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen, scored on his debut for the national team. His strike, against Switzerland in September, was a well-drilled effort with his right foot to the near post.
The addition of Dorgu, for what is a fair price in the current transfer market, will add a new dynamic and attacking threat to the United side that they simply did not have at left wing-back previously.
However, looking back, there was a former United star who could have perhaps done a brilliant job as a left-wing back and saved them millions on their new January signing.
The star Man United should not have sold
The player in question here is former left-back, Alex Telles. He joined United on deadline day in October 2020, making a £15.4m move from Portuguese side FC Porto with boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was United’s manager at the time of the signing, describing him as “a fighter and a winner” upon joining.
In total, Telles notched up 50 appearances in the famous red shirt of United. He managed seven assists in that time, which included four in the Premier League during his second season.
Telles record by season for Man United
Stat
2020/21
2021/22
Games
24
26
Minutes
1761
2026
90s
19
22
G/A
3
5
Stats frm Transfermarkt
The Brazilian also scored one goal during his time at Old Trafford, coming in the Champions League against Villarreal. It was a strike that perfectly demonstrated his technical quality, volleying a free-kick from Bruno Fernandes back across goal and into the back of the net.
Although he did not stay at United long, Telles put in some solid contributions, and for the money that was spent on the Brazilian, he proved his worth. However, he did not stay at Old Trafford long under Erik ten Hag.
The Brazilian was first loaned out to Sevilla in the 2022/23 campaign, the Dutchman’s first season in charge, before making a permanent move away the following summer. Telles went to Saudi Arabia to join up with former United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr.
Just one season later, the Brazilian was on the move again. Now 32 years of age, Telles finds himself playing back in his homeland, for Botafogo. He has made 18 appearances for the club so far and has one goal and one assist.
Looking back on it, perhaps Amorim might have kept Telles at Old Trafford, had he been given the choice. Whilst Ten Hag played with a flat back four, the former United number 27 might have excelled as a wing-back under the Portuguese manager.
He had 57 assists for Porto and could deliver a wicked cross with his left foot. Telles certainly might have had a role to play under the new boss, which might have had a domino effect and saved United some money on Dorgu, at least in the immediate future.
Van Gaal flops, Ten Hag disasters: The 10 worst Man Utd players post-Fergie
Man United have had some dreadful players since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
ByRoss KilvingtonJan 24, 2025