Manchester United have shown promising signs in Ruben Amorim's first full season but the head coach has been urged to make a signing to address a weakness in the side
Wes Brown has offered advice to Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim
Wes Brown has offered advice to Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim
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Former Manchester United star Wes Brown has urged head coach Ruben Amorim to add a left wing-back to his squad in January. Patrick Dorgu joined the club in the last winter window as wing-back cover on both flanks, but Amorim appears less settled on the left than in some other positions.
Dorgu, who joined from Lecce in Amorim's first window in charge, has struggled to replicate his international form at club level. United's boss has urged the Dane to play with less anxiety, and Brown thinks the answer for now could be to add a specialist in the position.
"I’m probably going to have to go with… and I’m not sure if Luke Shaw can do it… a left wing-back," Brown told the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast when asked about the transfer United need to prioritise. "But I reckon we’ll see Luke Shaw there in the upcoming games.
"You want to have that [energy] at wing-back. Amad Diallo can do it. He’s going to lose a few at the back-post, I suppose, every now and again, but you can see the difference in age.
"I just feel with Manchester United at the moment, a lot of our good possession and where we’re strong is on the right-hand side. Our left probably isn’t as strong and it would be nice to see that so United can both ways. Everybody knows Bryan Mbeumo and Amad, when they get on the ball, it’s dangerous. It’s not exactly the same on that left-hand side."
England international Shaw struggled with injuries last season but has put together a run of games under Amorim this term. Those outings have mostly come as one of three centre-backs, though, rather than in the physically demanding left-back role.
Tyrell Malacia is also a left-sided specialist, but the Dutchman appears to have no Old Trafford future despite failing to seal a summer move away. The former Feyenoord star has been an unused sub three times this season without making it onto the pitch, and is out of contract in June.
Patrick Dorgu during Spurs vs Man Utd
Patrick Dorgu hasn't made the left wing-back role his own since joining from Lecce
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United take on West Ham on Thursday, and a win would further boost their hopes of European qualification. Amorim confirmed Benjamin Sesko and Harry Maguire will miss the game through injury, but Matheus Cunha is ready to return.
"We have two doubts for the game," Amorim added in his Wednesday press conference.. "I will not tell you today because we will change the way we are going to approach [the game]. Let's see if they can play tomorrow."
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