The January transfer window is Manchester United's last opportunity to strengthen their squad before this season but they must tread carefully.
Patrick Dorgu has the potential to be a good player for Manchester United
Patrick Dorgu has the potential to be a good player for Manchester United(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Fans and clubs often have slightly different attitudes towards the January transfer window. If you are a supporter, you see the January window as a great opportunity to solve any problems that have developed throughout the first half of the season. Clubs think the same way, but can be wary of the mid-season market.
January often sees teams who are desperate for reinforcements spend over the odds. "We will continue to support Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] with a planned, long-term approach to recruitment, focused on the summer windows," Ed Woodward told Manchester United supporters in 2020.
And United did not shift from that philosophy when Woodward left. United needed a goalscorer back in January 2023 and they signed Wout Weghorst on loan. It soon became apparent the Dutchman was not the talisman the Reds required. Marcel Sabitzer arrived alongside Weghorst, he too a loanee. In January 2024, no senior signing was made.
Ruben Amorim's arrival last summer meant United could not afford to overlook the January market. United had to work quickly to get a player Amorim desperately needed for his system, and that player was Patrick Dorgu.
Jason Wilcox said after Dorgu's arrival: "Patrick is a really exciting talent. His strong defensive and attacking attributes, adaptability and work-rate will make him a key part of Ruben Amorim's squad. Patrick has had a superb start to his career, and at the age of just 20 we know he will continue to develop under the guidance of our excellent coaching team."
United paid an initial £25million for the Dane and the hope was he would be the solution to the left wing-back issue. What we have found instead is the Reds are still needing to bring in a wing-back and the issue may need to be addressed 12 months on in the January transfer window.
Whether it be Dorgu or Diogo Dalot, United do not look comfortable on the left flank. Dalot struggles playing on the left and is much better suited to the right.
Meanwhile, Dorgu has plenty of potential to succeed at United in the future, but currently his end product leaves a lot to be desired and he is not ready to be the starting wing-back Amorim needs. The perils of the January transfer window are clear.
This is not to suggest Dorgu is being written off entirely but the Reds went into the January transfer window looking for a 'plug and play' signing, but it's not worked out that way. Heading into the winter, United may choose to delve back into the market and attempt to sign a left wing-back.
But the warning signs are already there. Unless United pay over the odds, very few clubs will be willing to offload their top talents midway through a season.
Going into January and hoping to sign players who can change the team immediately is risky. This doesn't mean January should be written off entirely, but United cannot keep putting themselves in a position where they need to sign first-team regulars mid-season.