INEOS intensify negotiations with Man United to sign new Dorgue for just £26m

Manchester United’s INEOS system has understandably come under criticism over the past 18 months or so, particularly for their reluctance to sack Erik ten Hag in the summer of 2024.

But Sunday’s win over Arsenal may have finally settled the Old Trafford pecking order when it comes to recruitment, as it was a glowing endorsement of the club’s recent achievements.

While the Gunners had little success off the bench with their attacking trio of summer signings, United’s new signings were far more impactful, with each of the day’s three scorers coming from 2025 arrivals.

£71m player Brian Mbeumo calmly opened the scoring for the visitors, while £62.5m signing Matheus Cunha fired home the winner from the front.

Sandwiched in between was perhaps his selection from Patrick Dawg, with the £30 million man finally making his mark after 12 months in Manchester.

Manchester United in talks over new contract for Dorgstyle

It was a year ago that INEOS chose to give the award to Dorg from Serie A side Lecce, betting on an unknown player at that stage to have made more than 50 appearances for the Italian national team.

It has been tough for the 21-year-old since he was criticized by coach Ruben Amorim for showing “anxiety” on the ball at the end of last year, but he has blossomed since moving into a more attacking role.

The versatile left-footer, who has been a scorer against the likes of Newcastle United, Manchester City and now Arsenal in recent weeks, has shown the benefit of taking risks against young, raw prospects. Can INEOS repeat the same trick this month?

Indeed, Guardian journalist Ed Aarons has reported that United are in talks over a possible transfer for Stade Rennais star Mohamed Kader Maite and are in contact with the player’s agent.

According to Aarons, the Old Trafford side are considering further signings for the 18-year-old, with Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal in particular in the mix.

In terms of value, any deal would be comparable to Dorg’s acquisition, with Aarons suggesting a fee of €30m (about £26m) could be required.

Why Kader Meite could be Man United’s other Dorg

There’s something special about witnessing a star being born at the Theater of Dreams. Dorg, who was sometimes maligned since Amorim’s departure, has looked like a different player, developing into a genuine left-winger under managers Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick.

Although currently suffering the brutal blow of a hamstring injury that could see him sidelined for the next 10 weeks, Gareth Bale’s – oh, sorry, Dawg – stock is steadily rising, and INEOS’ 2025 investment is definitely starting to pay off.

If the Red Devils can reach an agreement, it would be a similar deal to bring Meite to Manchester, with the teenager also an unknown talent with the potential to shine during his early first-team career in France.

Still only 18, the towering forward has scored five goals in 32 top-flight games for Rennes, including three in Ligue 1 this season, equaling Dorg’s record of five goals in 57 games for Rennes.

Like the Denmark international, any deal would be a risk considering Meite has not featured regularly in the senior ranks to date, but journalist Bence Boksak has described him as “one of the most exciting young forwards in Europe right now” and United are sure to take note of his sky-high potential.

Again, similar to Dorg, one of Meite’s distinguishing features is his physicality, as he stands 6-foot-2 despite still being a teenager and boasts the ability to easily contain and evade defenders.

A centre-forward by trade, the promising Frenchman ranks in the 100th percentile for aerial duels won per 90, especially according to DataMB, which is a positive sign for such a young raw striker.

Meite, who is also a “very technically gifted” player in Boksak’s view, is likely to be a great bargain at £26m, with United already looking to strike gold with a similar deal to Dorg last year.

January may not be the time to spend big on high-profile established targets, but for players like Dorg, or now Meite, it’s a great time to get some sleep and look ahead to next season’s starring role.

The centre-forwards also need reinforcements, and this is certainly a move with many positives for INEOS and Carrick, especially if Joshua Zirkzee leaves.