Of course fans of Manchester United have seen and heard it before. Another year. Another policy for the transfer of young people. Hoover the best young talent around the world. Focus on potential, not on the side -and -ready. Go away from established 'big names' and only set up prospects under a certain age.
As we say, United did this before. They have previously trumpeted the same policy. Expense management teams. Fits Chief Execs and technical directors. They all talked about the same approach 'Youth First'. Although to be honest with this lot, they have never really mentioned it in the past …
Dave Brailsford, we hear, focus this 'new, innovative' project. The Cycling Pro supported James Morton in his plans, a nutritionist who has a working past with Liverpool. That is the brain behind the latest version of United's transfer policy. What could go wrong …?
To be honest, the arrival of Patrick Dorgu seems to confirm that 'Mission 21' is indeed underway. The plan behind the name is to bring a 21st Premier League title to Old Trafford within three years. And as the staff has laid down earlier this season, the success of the project will rely on United that signed the world's best young players and develops it within the club's coaching system.
Far -fetched? Naturally. Especially if you consider the market of Manchester City at the start of £ 200 million in the £ 200 million market in January. City management makes their step, despite the fact that he demonstrably has the most successful academy system in the country. Of course you can win things with children, but not if you start as far back as United.
But in any case, management has shown that Mission 21 is not just an empty slogan. At least for now. Dorgu, broken up from Lecce last weekend, was signed with the intention of playing. The DANE starts in the Scratchy FA Cup victory against Leicester City on Friday evening.
From position and out of breath. Dorgu was addicted during the break by manager Ruben Amorim, who defended the left -sided wingback on the right side of midfield for his introduction. The Portuguese use Wyscout to justify his decision.
“He often played in Lecce on the right,” he said. That is one of the characteristics that we pay a lot to, to have a player like him. He was a bit anxious in the first touch with the ball. It is another competition for him, different speed of the game, but he did well.
“He has room, he has strength, he is going to improve a lot. And we as a team we have to play better to help these new boys perform at the right level. But the position, and you can see it in Wyscout that he is on both sides.
Paul Scholes and Roy Keane were not even in the aftermath, but to be honest with Amorim, he is actually right. At Lecce, under both Marco Giampaolo and Luca Gotti this season, Dorgu played so many games on the right side of midfield and on the left. Indeed, as an out-and-out right wing player, he scored all three goals of his account this season with the I Lupi.
On debut. If the flaglatant struggled for mission 21. Dorgu. As his manager said, faster pace, sharper tackles, Dorgu will have to adapt. But for those who had worked with the DANE at Lecce since his arrival in 2022, it will only be a matter of time before he meets expectations.
Countryman Dan Thomassen, who was part of Gotti's staff from Lecce, said about Dorgu: “Those of us who deal with him every day quickly discover how great the potential is.
“He will end up in a big club because the basis is already there, I think technically, tactically and physically. Many boys have this basis, but Dorgu also adds the mental aspect to this. It is not influenced by external factors. Could be a mistake he makes or a goal he scores.
Osijek coach Federico Coppitelli worked with Dorgu in the leadership of Lecce's Primavera and says: “For me, his natural role is left. And in him I see the skills of the destined.”
Coppitelli also remembered: “The Lecce reconnaissance area is very good. He was a Danish Junior International and he was the only player without a professional contract. Everyone could take him with him, but no one saw him except our reconnaissance boss. He has the characteristic that he is not not is under pressure.
That “scouting boss” was the cunning and experienced Pantaleo Corvino, one of the greats of the dealmakers of Italy. Now running things at Lecce, as Coppitelli stated, Corvino saw the potential of Dorgu for someone else. The sports director convinced Lecce to renounce € 200,000 to transport the teenager away from Nordsjaelland. Less than three years later, Dorgu was sold for a reimbursement of almost € 40 million.
“Dorgu is a potential champion,” Corvino said before Christmas. “Wait: he is a champion. Defensive or attacking flanker, runs for three players and sees the goal, has an engine that everyone misses.
“His destination is insured. The future is his.”
After more than 30 years in his field, Corvino has perfected the skill to buy low and to sell high. Better than turning to the cyclist and the nutritionist, United would have done well to consider the ear of the 75-year-old football man about how you actually make a policy for the transfer of young people.
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