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Manchester United star Diogo Dalot has welcomed the prospect of greater competition at left-back amid speculation linking Lecce youngster Patrick Dorgu with a move to Old Trafford.
The Red Devils identified left wing-back as a priority before the January transfer window opened for business, with Luke Shaw’s persistent injury problems leaving the club short in the position over the last two seasons.
The latest reports indicate that United and Lecce have agreed a deal worth in the region of £31.4million for Dorgu and the 20-year-old looks set to become the first signing of Ruben Amorim’s reign.
Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez and Paris Saint-Germain’s Nuno Mendes had also been earmarked as targets but Dorgu’s burgeoning potential – and apparent suitability for Amorim’s 3-4-3 system – have seen the young Dane rise to the top of United’s wishlist.
Dalot, regarded as one of Europe’s finest young right-backs when he swapped Porto for United back in 2018, has stepped up admirably during Shaw’s absence on the left side of defence.
And while Dorgu’s possible arrival could be perceived as a threat to his playing time, Dalot is well used to intense competition for minutes and is ‘ready to help the team’ in any way possible.
On the prospect of a new left-back joining him at the club this January, Dalot told The United Stand: ‘It’s been my whole life at this club, competing.
‘Nobody comes to Manchester United thinking that there’s not going to be competition for positions. That’s been my life at Manchester United all the time.
‘I feel pretty comfortable on both sides and, obviously, when you start playing a lot of games in the same position, it starts to become even more comfortable. Overall, I’m here to help.
‘I think the club and the manager already know the profile of player that I am.
‘I’m ready to help the team, be in my best shape possible and when the time comes, try to give my best.’
Dalot scored the opening goal as United defeated FCSB to reach the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday evening.
The 2-0 victory was United’s third win on the bounce in all competitions and Dalot hopes the team are able to carry the momentum forward into their Premier League clash with Crystal Palace this weekend.
Asked how United’s players have adapted to Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, Dalot replied: ‘It’s pretty much been training within in games, I think that’s been the most difficult part.
‘Obviously, it is not the same thing because you always try to adapt as quickly as you can as games are always different.
‘But at the same time, we play at this level, we play for a big club and we need to adapt as quickly as possible.
‘We’ve been getting better but, obviously, it helps when you’re winning games. That’s the momentum that we want to keep. Another clean sheet so I think it’s important for the club.’
Dalot believes United have found the ideal head coach to get the club back to where they ‘belong’ after years of turbulence and uncertainty in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
‘He’s a passionate manager and he was as a player,’ the Portuguese – United’s Player of the Year last season – said of his fellow countryman.
‘I think it’s what this club needs. If you speak to all the fans, they always show this desire of wanting the best for the club and that’s what he wants.
‘If you want to win, if you want to go to where this club belongs then we need to be like that.’
Amorim, whose side are languishing down in 12th in the Premier League table, has made no secret of the fact United are actively working to strengthen before the transfer deadline.
‘What I can say is that the club wants to improve the team. That is the most important thing,’ he told TNT Sports before to his side’s win over FCSB.
‘Everybody is doing things, everything, to improve the team. If we can do it or not; sometimes it doesn’t depend just from the club or even the player.
‘We are focused on improving the team, but also we are really focused on not doing mistakes that are going to be hard in the future to go back.’
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