Manchester United fans have their fingers crossed for a big season. The truth is, after finishing 15th and missing out on Europe altogether, it can’t get much worse for the Red Devils. Ruben Amorim is already under a mountain of pressure, with the Portuguese coach needing to deliver sharpish.
Amorim has at least been backed in the transfer window, with three attacking additions having been made to United’s squad. Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo arrived earlier in the summer, before the 20-time champions put pen to paper on a deal for Benjamin Sesko earlier this week.
But it’s a signing Amorim made during his first few months as United boss that has got tongues wagging behind the scenes, with insiders at the club believing Patrick Dorgu could be on the verge of a breakout year. The 20-year-old arrived in January for a rumoured £25million and featured in the second half of the season for United.
However, United officials have told The Sun that Amorim is raving about Dorgu’s ability and views the wing-back as an integral part of his squad. What’s more, Amorim is said to believe Dorgu could become the next Nuno Mendes - PSG’s high-flying left-back, who was crucial to the Parisians’ Champions League triumph.
Dorgu has featured heavily for United in pre-season, even netting a goal during their Summer Series win over Bournemouth. When quizzed about the ex-Lecce man, Amorim mused: “It's impressive. He's 20 years old. He looks more and more like he belongs in Manchester United, and that is hard to do it [at] 20 years old, but he's so powerful, he's getting his technique in his game, he's defending so well, he's pressing so well. So I’m really impressed with Patrick.”
It would appear the understanding is reciprocated as well, with Dorgu full of kind words for his manager during United’s Stateside tour. He told the official club website: "It was good to help the team out there and it was good to get the win, we just keep improving and look forward to the season…
"I feel like the pre-season is helping everyone to understand Ruben's ideas even more. The more training we have, the more we will grow into his ideas and I feel like it is being seen a little bit on the pitch already. We just keep improving."
Following the conclusion of United’s pre-season schedule, the Europa League runners-up will turn attention to their campaign opener against Arsenal at Old Trafford next weekend.