Patrick Dorgu and Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim has revealed what he wants from 'wingers' like Patrick Dorgu
Ruben Amorim's system is generally considered to not use wingers, but the Portuguese head coach has already referred to some of his squad as exactly that. Amorim isn't after an out-and-out winger like Alejandro Garnacho but more of a hybrid option like Patrick Dorgu.
Amorim made the comment when discussing Dorgu's aborted Manchester United debut against Leicester City, when he played 45 minutes on the right before being withdrawn at half-time. The £25million January signing is left-footed, and there had been an assumption he was the man to finally solve the issues at left-back, or wing-back under Amorim.
That eventually happened, with the Dane impressing on the left in every United appearance since then, and he looks like the only real specialist for that position in Amorim's current squad. Diogo Dalot is maybe the closest fit, but Noussair Mazraoui is too defensive and Garnacho clearly too attacking, given he has never been used as a wing-back by Amorim.
Amad slotted in well as a right wing-back in the early days of the Amorim era but had established himself as a No. 10 before injury struck. At the moment, Dalot and Dorgu are the best combination on the flanks.
Amorim did mention Dalot when talking about his wing-backs, or wingers as he called them, and why he wants players comfortable playing on both sides.
"We have to have wingers who can play both sides like Dalot," he said. "It’s a really important thing, sometimes you need a left foot on the right side to come inside and connect in a different way, and sometimes you need a right-footer to connect and cross more balls."
Dorgu has added to United's attacking threat down the right, and although he has a very different skill set from Dalot, it feels like United need a right-sided version of the 20-year-old now. Dalot can be tidy on the ball and isn't without a threat in the final third, but he doesn't have the same natural attacking ability as a player like Dorgu.
If Amorim is to take United's game to the levels he took Sporting in terms of domination and the ability to strike rapidly on the break, then he needs a right-sided wing-back who can attack with the same incision and pace. Those positions are key for Amorim, probably more important than any others on the pitch.
When Dalot and Mazraoui played there, United looked a little one-paced when attacking down the flanks. Dorgu has bought a better balance and looks a shrewd addition, but there is certainly another level to unlock on the right.
That doesn't necessarily spell the end for Dalot. As Amorim has said, he can provide cover on both sides, and rotation will be required. He could be a go-to option for some of the tougher games.
But as this United team develops under Amorim, they might need a more natural 'winger' to fill that role as well. Someone more like an Amad than a Dalot. That sort of player could be high on the transfer wishlist this summer.
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