Manchester United took two steps back. Again. Southampton were beaten last week, but unconvincingly; however, Brighton & Hove Albion have since picked up three points at Old Trafford to keep the Red Devils in 13th place.
He was motivated by Sunday’s sad defeat Reuben Amorim to rather brash to claim that this is “perhaps the worst team in the history of Man United”.
However, the Portuguese’s words carry truth, and INEOS need to address the glaring issues with a mid-season signing or two.
Man United are in talks to sign the Serie A star
On Monday morning, David Ornstein of the Athletic revealed that Manchester United are in talks with Lecce over versatile left-back Patrick Dorgu, 20.
Amorim wants reinforcements this month as he looks to mold a struggling Man United team to his design, namely a fluid 3-4-3 system.
However, Dorgu only recently penned a new deal with his Serie A side and would come with the caveat of inexperience on both the professional and Premier League stages.
That is why the prominent team should turn to Wolverhampton Wanderers Rayan Ait-Nouriwith Caught offside is even revealing that the dynamic defender is also on United’s radar after PSG closed the door on a potential sale of Nuno Mendes.
Said to be United’s ‘top target’ in the position, Ait-Nouri would not come cheap at a reported €60m (£51m), but he has a wealth of experience in the English Premier League and a skill set to match Amorim’s vision.
Why Rayan Ait-Nouri would be perfect for Amor
Dorgu is a raw talent and would certainly bring energy and a fresh dimension to Man United’s backline, positionally flexible and certainly capable of causing havoc on the wing, in front of a three-man backline.
But Ait-Nouri could be a better choice, as he regularly features in a higher position for Wolves himself, suggesting a seamless transition to Amorim’s system.
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Rayan Ait-Nouri – Wolves statistics by position (24/25) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Position |
applications |
Objectives |
Assists |
|
Left midfielder |
12 |
2 |
3 |
|
Left back |
8 |
2 |
2 |
|
Central defender |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Statistics via Transfermarkt |
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The Algerian’s qualities, his multifaceted approach to football, even led Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley hailing him as “one of the best players in the Premier League” last year, something he has carried with him into the current campaign despite the turbulence that saw Gary O’Neil handed the boot and replaced by Vitor Pereira.
Indeed, Ait-Nouri averaged 5.6 tackles, 1.6 dribbles and 2.4 tackles per top-flight game in this period, according to Sofascorewith his eight goals in 20 appearances suggesting he has the attacking impetus to energize the Man United squad and then some.
FBref recorded the 23-year-old’s most impressive metric during the 2024/25 Premier League season, with the Wolves star ranked in the top 3% of full-backs for goals, top 5% for assists and top 3% for successful take-ons per 90.
Such statistics perfectly illustrate the player’s ability in the final third, which itself is a product of his electric, fast runs. Dorgu is also a powerful and athletic defender, but does he have the same technical capacity, the same completeness?
Ait-Nouri would show immediate results at The Theater of Dreams, and United, no doubt, cannot afford to languish any longer. Ait-Nouri should be added to their ranks.
