Manchester United made two signings in the January transfer window, bringing in Ayden Heaven and Patrick Dorgu.
The new Red Devils pair have caught the eye so far with Heaven costing Ruben Amorim’s side an undisclosed compensation fee, buying him out of his Arsenal contract six months early.
So far, the 18-year-old has made four appearances in the famous red shirt. That includes a 45-minute cameo against the Gunners in his first Premier League game, before making starts against Real Sociedad in the Europa League and Leicester City in the top flight.
Heaven has made a real impression so far for United, and the same can certainly be said for Dorgu, in his short United career.
Why Patrick Dorgu has been a good signing for Man Utd
20-year-old Denmark international Dorgu has made a great start to life at Old Trafford. He made the move from Serie A strugglers Lecce in the winter transfer window for £25m up front, and a further £4.2m in add-ons.
Dorgu has made a big impression already with Football statistician Statman Dave stating the wing-back is a player who “brings balance and quality” to Amorim’s United side.
He has played six times so far, particularly impressing against Sociedad in the Europa League, where he made major contributions both in defence and attack, winning a penalty from which Bruno Fernandes scored.
One of the key features of Dorgu’s game is his speed. The 20-year-old is rapid and able to cover so much ground in a short amount of time. Of course, this is helpful to United in transitional situations, helping them get up the pitch and hurt teams on the counter very quickly.
The January arrival has been a revelation for the Red Devils, some might say the perfect addition at wing-back for Amorim’s system.
However, if things had gone differently years ago, perhaps the United boss could have had another flying wingback at his disposal.
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Man United academy gem is now similar to Dorgu
United’s academy can take credit for producing several exciting talents in the Premier League, or at least contributing to their footballing education.
One player who certainly fits that latter category is Dwight McNeil.
He was in the Red Devils academy in his younger days, notably training alongside the likes of Brandon Williams and Angel Gomes but was released by the club. It was a decision that certainly left him heartbroken.
“It made me focused on becoming a professional footballer. Hopefully looking back on it, I’ve proved some people wrong. As a young kid it’s a hard one to take. Especially when it’s your boyhood club and the one you grew up supporting.” – McNeil on leaving United.
After making his way through the Burnley academy, he became a vital part of the Clarets first-team under Sean Dyche.
Now plying his trade at Everton, McNeil has also become a key player for the Toffees. Although he has played in a number of positions, the Englishman has excelled out wide on the left, where Amorim surely would have deployed him if given the chance. This term, he has three goals and three assists in 13 Premier League games but has been out for some time with a knee injury.
One of the key features of McNeil’s game is his threat from open play when crossing the ball. Described by Statman Dave as an “excellent crosser”, the 25-year-old can whip a deadly delivery into the box, as he showed in Everton’s 5-1 win against Brighton a few seasons ago, a game where he also scored two goals.
To get an idea of how McNeil might have suited this United system, a comparison via FBref between his and Dorgu’s stats can be drawn. The Everton ace completes more crosses than the Dane per 90 minutes, with 0.79 compared to 0.39, but does complete less progressive carries per 90, with 2.44 compared to Dorgu’s 3.45.
Progressive passes
4.72
2.62
Key passes
2.52
0.92
Crosses
0.79
0.39
Tackles and interceptions
1.18
3.19
Ball recoveries
4.96
4.85
Progressive carries
2.44
3.45
Succesful take-ons
1.51
0.61
Shot-creating actions
4.72
2.75
On reflection, McNeil could have been a fantastic option for United. Of course, he left the club at a young age, but seeing how his career has turned out, perhaps they wish they still had someone in the squad so suited to Amorim’s system.
He is statistically similar to Dorgu, and worth £25m according to Football Transfers, around the fee United paid for their new wing-back up front in January. He is surely a player Amoirm would have loved to have at his disposal.
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