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Dorgu | AFP via Getty Images
Man United just started to find form only to see Patrick Dorgu go down injured, could signing a Premier League great ease the burden?
Just as Michael Carrick thought that managing Manchester United was going to be easy, he’s lost what was a key reason why there has been an upturn in fortunes.
Wins over Man City and Arsenal have been slightly soured by the news that Patrick Dorgu is going to be out injured for weeks, rather than just the days that the new Red Devils boss had hoped that he was. Carrick has a couple of options already within his squad, but it was a position that was left weakened by Ruben Amorim’s preferred formation and the summer transfer business.
How Man United can solve Patrick Dorgu problem
The most obvious solution is to draft Matheus Cunha into the starting XI, however, United have another short-term option that they could utilise by dipping into the transfer market.
Carrick needs goals, and who better than someone with over 300 contributions in just under 600 games. He might not have played a lot of football this season, but Raheem Sterling is one of his generation’s finest English footballers.
He is also one of the most decorated. At 31-years old he still has a lot to prove given his time at Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford could provide him with the perfect arena to rediscover his love for the game.
Bryan Mbeumo has been the signing of the season and Amad Diallo, in his best position, is capable of causing any defence problems. Having Sterling on the left could be the perfect foil given his ability to get into goalscoring positions.
Bruno Fernandes in particular could benefit from having a player who loves nothing better than running in behind opposition defenders. For Kevin de Bruyne see Fernandes. With Anthony Gordon struggling for goals from open play, there is a place on England’s left wing up for grabs, Sterling, in the right team and system, could make a late run, if he is playing regularly and scoring goals. On a six-month deal, it makes a lot of sense.
Sterling might not stay in England
Prior to Chelsea and Sterling agreeing to part ways, transfer supremo Fabrizio Romano suggested on his YouTube channel that the 81-times capped winger who has 20 goals for his country, might not be staying in England if a team with a summer interest comes back to the table: He said: “Even though in England they said this morning that Raheem Sterling could stay at Chelsea and remain out of the squad until the end of the season, what I’m hearing about Sterling is actually the opposite.
“What I’m hearing is that Sterling won’t be a Chelsea player for the second half of the season, and that Sterling is still thinking about a different experience – leaving Chelsea in the next few days.
“So, we’ll see whether Napoli want to go back in for him, or whether they’ll decide to go for a different opportunity, maybe a less expensive one, with a less high-profile name but with more long-term potential. But Sterling is on the market.”
It has been reported that Tottenham are one of eight clubs interested. It is a risk for United given Sterling’s form over the last few years but there is no doubt a good player still in there - and on a free transfer it’s a no brainer.
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