The past two weeks have been a turning point for Manchester United. In fact, Michael Carrick has picked up the broken pieces left by Ruben Amorim and built the tools to defeat Arsenal and Manchester City, two of the country’s strongest teams, in back-to-back Premier League fixtures.
Bruno Fernandes is thriving in his natural role. Matheus Cunha and Brian Mbeumo are playing with greater attacking license. Koby Mainu is back playing – and playing well there.
Patrick Dorg has also emerged as a potential superstar in recent games, with his thunderous strike to open the scoring after half-time against the Emirates.
But a hamstring injury has brutally struck the Danish talent and there are fears he could be sidelined for up to 10 weeks. Cunha needs to step up, but INEOS may also look to accelerate their transfer plans.
How Man United want to deal with Dorg’s injury
With Casemiro set to leave Manchester United at the end of this season, there is a growing need for a strong, high-level central midfielder. However, that would be achieved later in the summer transfer window.
Dorg’s injury has highlighted the need for a new wide player, and it’s a position that may now need to be filled, especially with the Red Devils languishing outside of European competition this season and aiming to return to the Champions League.
According to Sports Boom, Manchester United are one of the favorites to sign TSG Hoffenheim’s Bazmana Toure, with Arsenal and Bayern Munich also showing strong interest in the up-and-coming striker.
The hunt for the youngster is said to be “led” by the three clubs.
Scouts have been involved in the Ivorian winger’s AFCON campaign throughout, and it is believed he would need a fee in the region of €55m (equivalent to £48m) to make the jump midway through the season.
What Toure brings to Old Trafford
Toure, described by journalist Bence Boksak as “one of the fastest players in Europe’s top five leagues”, will bring pace to the Old Trafford ranks, and many of them.
Toure, considered a future Ballon d’Or candidate, has played 15 games in Germany’s Bundesliga this season, scoring two goals and providing five assists.
He is only 19, but with his incredible speed and physicality, he could be the “genius” United are looking for to spearhead this new era, as analyst Ben Mattinson has described it.
Dorg is a supreme talent and, although he has been at a loss when used as a full-back in the Premier League so far, his future is starting to take shape in an advanced role.
But Toure may have more potential. His basic statistics this season certainly speak to the quality that could surpass Dorg, who was just described as “miles off the mark” by journalist Liam Canning in December.
Dorg vs Thule – League Form 25/26 | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (* per 90) | i go to sleep | Thule |
Match (start) | 22(14) | 15(14) |
Goal + Assist | 3+3 | 2+4 |
Number of shots (on target)* | 1.0 (0.4) | 1.3(0.5) |
Exact path* | 16.1 (76%) | 16.5 (76%) |
A big opportunity has arisen | 5 | 5 |
Key pass* | 1.1 | 1.4 |
dribble* | 0.5 | 1.7 |
collect* | 3.3 | 4.5 |
Tackle* | 2.4 | 1.1 |
Win a duel* | 6.4 | 5.5 |
Data via Sofascore | ||
Still only a teenager, Toure is already showing strength and purpose in his performances, and it’s scary to think how he will develop over the next few years.
Dorg is enjoying his purple spot in the Premier League, but we need to see more before we understand whether that statement against Arsenal was a blip or the start of something special.
Either way, INEOS could potentially acquire another superstar talent by signing Hoffenheim’s most exciting young player.
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