All posts by z3u9t.icu

With no Premier League game this weekend, every Arsenal fan will have their eyes firmly on their Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint Germain next week.

However, while Mikel Arteta’s side have a real chance of doing something sensational on the continent, it would be impossible to describe their domestic form as anything other than disappointing.

The Gunners crashed out of the FA Cup and League Cup, and should Liverpool pick up even a point at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, they’ll be crowned champions with four games to spare.

While injuries have certainly played their part, poor performances have been just as big of a problem, with club captain Martin Odegaard’s drop in form emblematic of the season overall.

The Norwegian international may well get back to his mercurial best next year, but if recent reports are to be believed, the club may have already identified someone who’d be an upgrade, someone who’s won comparisons to the incredible Jude Bellingham.

Arsenal transfer news

Before getting to the player in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other incredible names Arsenal have been linked with in recent weeks, such as Raphinha.

The Barcelona superstar would reportedly be available for about £86m in the summer, and while that is a lot, it could be a fee worth paying as he’s already scored 30 goals and provided 23 assists in 49 games this year.

A cheaper player touted for a £43m move to the Emirates in recent days has been Andrey Santos.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The Chelsea loanee is having a stellar campaign in France with Strasbourg, amassing 15 goal involvements in just 30 appearances from central and defensive midfield.

However, the most exciting name touted for a move to N5, and the one who could replace Odegaard is Désiré Doué.

Yes, according to reports from Spain, Arsenal are one of several Premier League sides interested in signing the Frenchman this summer.

Alongside the Gunners, the report has revealed that Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea are keen on the talent.

However, Paris Saint-Germain are not planning on selling the teenage sensation unless a monster offer of around £86m is made.

It looks like it could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Doué’s immense ability and potential, it’s one worth fighting for, especially as he could be a dream Odegaard replacement and has been compared to Bellingham.

How Doué compares to Odegaard and Bellingham

So, the first thing to say is that while Doué has spent more time on the wings this season, he has still made nine appearances as an attacking midfielder this term and has even been described as a “true 10” by respected analyst Ben Mattinson.

With that out the way, it’s worth examining this comparison to Bellingham and where it comes from before looking at how he stacks up against Odegaard.

In this instance, it stems from FBref, which looks at players in similar positions across Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League then creates a list of the ten most comparable players for each one and, in this instance, has concluded that the Englishman is the number one most similar midfielder to the PSG gem.

Progressive Passes

7.19

7.29

Goals

0.35

0.34

Assists

0.35

0.30

Goals per Shot

0.12

0.14

Goals per Shot on Target

0.30

0.39

Carries

45.4

43.2

Aerial Duels Won %

43.8%

46.9%

The best way to see where this comparison has come from is to look at the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely, including, but not limited to, progressive passes, goals, assists, goals per shot and shot on target, carries and more, all per 90.

So, with his apparent statistical similarities to the Real Madrid star, how does the Angers-born ace compare to the Gunners’ captain?

Well, from a pure output perspective, he comes out miles ahead.

For example, in 46 appearances, totalling just 2538 minutes, he’s scored 13 goals and provided 12 assists.

That means the “absolute genius,” as dubbed by Mattinson, is currently averaging a goal involvement every 1.84 games or every 101.52 minutes.

For his efforts this year, the Drammen-born star has scored just five goals and provided ten assists in 39 appearances, totalling 2982 minutes.

Therefore, the 26-year-old is averaging a goal involvement every 2.6 games or every 198.8 minutes, which is undeniably disappointing.

Ultimately, while he might cost a huge sum of money, Arsenal should do what they can to sign Doué this summer, as not only has he won comparisons to Bellingham, but he could be a younger, more exciting upgrade on Odegaard.

Arsenal in contact to sign mega Partey upgrade with a £1bn release clause

Thomas Partey could stay at Arsenal but they should seek a replacement.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 24, 2025

Manchester United are preparing to beat Arsenal to the signing of a “lightning” quick striker who has 19 direct goal contributions this season, according to a new report.

Hojlund now a "damaged player" amid new striker links

United’s already dismal season sank even lower with a 1-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford on Sunday. The loss, sealed by a superb Pablo Sarabia free-kick in the 77th minute, leaves United level on points with Wolves – a team that, until February, had been battling relegation, with Wolves’ resurgence only underscoring United’s ongoing stagnation.

It was a disappointing display from Ruben Amorim’s side overall, but one player who particularly struggled was Rasmus Hojlund. The Danish striker failed to score once again, leaving him with just three goals in 28 Premier League appearances. Against Wolves, he managed only 13 touches, completed a single dribble, and lost eight duels.

Speaking after the game, Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time top scorer with 260 goals, described Hojlund as a “damaged player”.

Manchester United ready to move for Vlahovic

There’s no doubting that United need to upgrade on Hojlund this summer, and according to a new report from TuttoJuve, they already have a target in mind. The Italian outlet claims United are “ready to move” for Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović, who has registered 14 goals and five assists across all competitions this season.

United are reportedly considering a €45 million (£38 million) bid for the Serbian international, a long-standing target for Arsenal. However, Vlahović is said to be seeking an annual salary of €10 million (£8.6 million) to join Old Trafford—a wage that would place him among the club’s top earners.

Vlahović joined Juventus from Fiorentina in 2022 and has since scored 55 goals in 139 appearances for the Old Lady. His strike rate mirrors the form he showed at Fiorentina, where he netted 49 times in 108 games.

Speaking about Vlahović back in 2021, former Fiorentina player and pundit Micah Richards was full of praise.

“I have watched him a couple of times now,” Richards told BBC Radio Five Live, per The Independent. “He is lightning. It’s ridiculous. He has got 16 in 18 this season. His left foot is like a wand. I am telling you now, he is everything, he is everything you need.”

Turning their attention towards the summer transfer window and navigating any PSR concerns, Aston Villa have reportedly joined the race to sign a South American wonderkid.

Aston Villa facing PSR concerns

As successful as the Villans have been on the pitch, that success may well come at a price amid concerns over profit and sustainability. Those at Villa Park haven’t been afraid to spend big in recent seasons, but after making losses of more than £105m across the last three campaigns, they are in danger of breaching PSR rules, according to reports.

After Chelsea decided to sell their woman’s team to a sister company in an attempt to comply with the rules and find a loophole, Aston Villa seem to have taken note and are now looking at selling similar stakes. Whether criticised or not, it would be quite the way to avoid any punishment.

Amid such problems, meanwhile, Champions League qualification may prove to be more important than ever if Villa want to ease their concerns and avoid having to sanction frustrating sales.

Aston Villa make contact to sign fast African attacker who loves an assist

He’s a youngster in demand.

ByCharlie Smith Apr 5, 2025

The Midlands club already sold Jhon Duran for big money during the January transfer window before welcoming Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford on loan, but should look to avoid a repeat of such a departure this summer.

Whether that’s in their hands remains to be seen, however. What hasn’t helped ease their concerns is David Ornstein’s recent report that Morgan Rogers is among those attracting big admirers ahead of the summer transfer window. It’s a narrative that Aston Villa must put to bed as soon as possible before turning their focus towards signing one particular star.

Aston Villa set sights on South American talent Rayan

Whilst Aston Villa must spend wisely if they are to spend this summer, one young forward slots into the category of players they should be able to afford in the coming months and one they should do everything to avoid missing out on. According to The Boot Room, Aston Villa have now joined the race to sign Rayan from Vasco da Gama.

The 18-year-old winger has attracted plenty of attention from interested parties in the Premier League, with Villa joined in line for his signature by Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Described as a “physical, bulldozing forward” by South American football expert Nathan Joyes, Rayan is still just 18 years old and a player who looks ready to complete his first move into European football.

Unai Emery rarely needs to convince players about his Aston Villa project these days, and Rayan should be no different. Like others before him, the forward would thrive under the Spaniard.

Liverpool have now made contact to sign a “world-class” striker ahead of Premier League rivals Arsenal, who are also vying for his signature, according to a report.

Reds pursuing new forwards this summer

It would be fair to say Darwin Nunez has failed to justify his club-record £85m price tag ever since arriving at Anfield, with the striker particularly struggling this season, netting just five Premier League goals.

Amid widespread reports Nunez could be heading for the exit door, the Reds have started to step up their pursuit of a new striker, and they have some very exciting targets in mind.

Arne Slot’s side seem willing to spend big on a top striker, with a report stating they could fork out £142m for Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, who could be brought in if Mohamed Salah decides not to extend his stay at Anfield.

Liverpool learn price for Van Dijk successor after "worried" contract claim

Van Dijk’s Liverpool future remains up in the air.

ByBarney Lane Mar 31, 2025

Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike are also among the targets for the Merseyside club, with a move for the latter striker perhaps more likely, given that the Magpies are determined to keep hold of their talisman.

There is no shortage of options for the summer window, and Liverpool have now taken the first step towards signing a Premier League star, having made contact over a deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Matheus Cunha.

That is according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states the Reds have enquired about the conditions of a potential deal, while they are also trying to gauge whether the move would be of interest to Cunha.

Arsenal and Nottingham Forest are also in the race for the Brazilian, with Slot’s side now making the first move to potentially move ahead of their Premier League rivals despite the Gunners doing “work” on the deal.

The Wolves star has a £62m release clause in his contract, which applies to any club in the Champions League, meaning Liverpool should be well-positioned to complete a cut-price deal.

"World-class" Cunha could be Nunez upgrade

The 25-year-old has played a major role in Wolves’ push for Premier League safety, having amassed 13 goals and four assists this season, outscoring Nunez by a considerable margin.

The “world-class” striker has also now managed to make a name for himself at international level, bagging his first goal for Brazil in a World Cup qualification tie against Argentina last week.

In another boost to Liverpool’s chances of getting a deal done, the former Atletico Madrid man has now admitted he wants to compete for the top honours, which he would be well-positioned to do at Anfield.

The only slight concern about signing Cunha will be the fact that, much like Nunez, there are concerns over his discipline, having been charged by the FA for a headbutt on fellow target Milos Kerkez earlier this season, but his ability cannot be questioned.

And just like that, after only five months and 13 league games at the Southampton helm, the Will Still experiment at St. Mary’s is over.

There was so much hype surrounding Still’s appointment after he had made quite the name for himself in France when spearheading a 17-game unbeaten run in charge of Stade Reims.

But, with only two Championship wins under his belt from those games mentioned, it did feel like only a matter of time before the underwhelming 33-year-old was put out of his misery.

It will be intriguing to see who the Saints turn to next as they attempt to get out of their second-tier slump and rise back into the promotion reckoning, with interim boss Tonda Eckert even in with an outside shout, having masterminded a 2-1 win over Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday night.

Latest on Southampton's manager search

Indeed, Sky Sports’ Lyall Thomas has already confirmed that Eckert will lead Southampton out again on Saturday as crisis-stricken Sheffield Wednesday come to St. Mary’s, as the club continues to weigh up whether he’s a viable candidate for the full-time job.

If he were to guide the Saints to another league win, he would surely be in the conversation. But, there are various other names also being linked to the ongoing EFL opening.

Reports have suggested that EFL veteran Tony Mowbray could be in the running, alongside ex-Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick, with the Saints’ sporting director Johannes Spor also casting his net out to Germany, on the hunt for a successful replacement for Still.

Sky Sports has even boldly suggested that former Southampton midfielder Adam Lallana would be interested in becoming the next head coach, with Lallana assisting Eckert for the time being during his temporary duties.

The same report does state that it is an unlikely option at this moment in time, owing to Lallana’s complete lack of experience as a head coach.

But, it could well be deemed an inspired choice from left-field, all the same, with the second-tier side perhaps gaining their own Frank Lampard-style figure in the process, who continues to take the Championship by storm with Coventry City.

Southampton's own Lampard appointment

Once upon a time, Lampard was in much the same position as Lallana, as he tried to navigate a coaching career post a glittering playing career from midfield.

While it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Lampard during his managerial career to date, with tricky spells at both Everton and Chelsea, he has been largely a hit in the Championship, as evidenced by him steering the Sky Blues to the top of the EFL’s elite division right now.

Games managed

94

104

Wins

46

38

Draws

23

21

Losses

25

45

Goals scored

157

145

Goals conceded

108

153

Off the back of his “fantastic” stint at the CBS Arena to date – as journalist Sam Cunningham has labelled it – Lampard has managed to collect 46 victories from 94 second-tier games, with Lallana now wanting to kickstart his own EFL managerial journey, to try and follow in the ex-Chelsea icon’s footsteps.

After all, Lallana would no doubt command the same respect Lampard clearly holds, with the former St. Mary’s playing icon going on to bag a hefty 60 goals and collect a weighty 47 assists while on the South Coast.

He would surely want to make his own Saints side as entertaining to watch as Lampard’s rampant Sky Blues, therefore.

Moreover, Lallana will be hungry to be a success as a main manager, having played under some of the best in the managerial game in the form of Jurgen Klopp and Roberto De Zerbi, alongside also working closely with Lee Carsley in the England U21 set-up.

Russell Martin also gave a glowing assessment of the 34-year-old when he was still manager at St. Mary’s, with the recently sacked Rangers boss lauding Lallana as a “brilliant” voice to have around the dressing room. He’s also been hailed in the past as “very intelligent” by De Zerbi.

Southampton will know that they need to get this managerial appointment spot on, having been on the receiving end of a litany of blunders in recent years, with Nathan Jones and Ivan Juric also going down as failures, as an outside-of-the-box appointment, such as Lallana, is possibly eyed up.

After all, as a Saints player, the one-time Premier League title winner would once score 11 goals and collect ten assists in league action, to seal promotion to the big time. Can he repeat the same magic as a rookie replacement for Still?

Spors is a fan: Tonda Eckert asked directly about becoming permanent Southampton manager

Tonda Eckert has taken over Southampton as interim boss following their dismissal of Will Still.

ByJames O'Reilly Nov 6, 2025

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has revealed that he may still be in interim charge of the club when they face Dundee at Parkhead on Wednesday night in the Scottish Premiership.

Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph claims that there has been a delay in finalising the deal to bring Wilfried Nancy to the club from MLS outfit Columbus Crew, which is why the Northern Irishman may still be in the dugout in midweek.

The French boss will surely be keeping close tabs on how the team fared under O’Neill in November, and will already be thinking about how he wants to set the side up moving forward.

The Celtic players who will have impressed Nancy against Hibernian

In the 2-1 win over Hibernian in the Premiership on Sunday, several players showed that they can be key players for the next head coach, whenever he finally takes charge.

Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels are the two obvious ones after they both got on the scoresheet in the first half, with the former tapping into an empty net and the latter bravely burying a header in just seconds later.

Reo Hatate also excelled in a number ten role ahead of Callum McGregor and Engels, biting into the tackle to then set up Maeda for the opening goal.

Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel also made a couple of impressive stops late on in the match to secure all three points, and he will surely be Nancy’s number one, in the short-term at least.

Whilst several players, mainly the ones mentioned here, will have impressed the incoming boss, Nancy may already have an idea of the players he wants to move on when the January transfer window opens up.

The first Celtic player Nancy should sell in January

After a confident first-half showing, academy graduate Colby Donovan was forced off with an injury at the break and replaced by experienced full-back Anthony Ralston.

Within minutes of his introduction, the Scotland international was caught out defensively before playing a poor pass back that went straight out of play on the right touchline.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ live coverage of the game, former Hoops striker Chris Sutton described Ralston’s play as “really sloppy” and claimed that the defender “hasn’t recovered” from his below par showing against St Mirren.

Minutes

72

Tackles won

0

Ground duels won

1/2

Aerial duels won

0/2

Dribbled past

1x

Key passes

0

Crosses attempted

0

In that win over the Saints, as shown in the table above, the Scottish flop lost 75% of his duels and offered virtually nothing to the team from a creative perspective.

His disappointing displays against St Mirren and Hibs in recent weeks have not been a blip, unfortunately, as he also left far too much to be desired from his performance against Midtjylland in the Europa League at the start of November.

Ralston made it far too easy, as shown in the clip above, for Mikel Gogorza to beat him and score, which came just moments after the Spaniard had danced past the defender to cross for the opening goal.

He ultimately left the pitch with 45 touches, nine fewer than goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, while he also failed to have a shot, provide a cross or key pass and he also only made one interception.

Therefore, the 27-year-old dud’s performances on and off the ball this season have not been up to scratch, which is why he may already be a player who could be on the chopping block for Nancy.

With Alistair Johnston to come back from his hamstring injury and Donovan emerging as a genuine first-team level option at right-back, Ralston may not be needed beyond January, as potentially the third-choice option in his position.

That is why the incoming Celtic boss should make the experienced flop the first player he axes at Parkhead when the January transfer window opens for business, whether that is by sending him out on loan or by selling him on a permanent basis.

Forget Maeda: Celtic have signed a star who's worth even more than Engels

Celtic have signed an impressive star who is now worth even more than club-record signing Arne Engels.

ByDan Emery Nov 30, 2025

Whilst you never know who will shine with a clean slate under Nancy, it is hard to look past Ralston as the first player he needs to move on from the squad when the next transfer window rolls around at the turn of the year.

Manchester United’s midfield department has so often been littered with quality, but it’s clear that Ruben Amorim is yet to stumble across his best partnership at the heart of the side.

The 40-year-old has been constantly shuffling his pack, often utilising various different players together, with Bruno Fernandes now seemingly his starting number eight.

He’s started every Premier League game in 2025/26 to date, but has often had to adapt to different combinations with other first-team members in recent times.

Casemiro has been the most consistent player to partner the Portuguese international, with the pair helping the club maintain a five-game unbeaten run for the first time in Amorim’s tenure.

However, with the Brazilian now aged 33 and set to leave in the summer, it’s crucial the hierarchy line up numerous targets to strengthen such an area in January and beyond.

The latest on United’s hunt for a new midfielder

Ahead of the upcoming January window, a whole host of young and talented midfielders have been linked with a big-money move to join Amorim’s United side.

Adam Wharton has been a star who has constantly been on the Red Devils’ radar over the last couple of months, with the Crystal Palace star just one option being considered.

It’s unclear how much a deal for his services would cost this winter, but it’s safe to say it wouldn’t be a surprise if the hierarchy made a beeline for his signature in the coming months.

However, he’s not the only player they’re targeting, with INEOS reportedly now said to be eyeing up a move for the signature of Atalanta midfielder Ederson.

A report from one source claims that the Red Devils is the most likely destination for the Brazilian star, with the hierarchy at the club expected to commence talks with the player and the two clubs.

It also states that such a deal could reach around €50m (£43.7m) this winter, with personal terms not expected to be an issue given his previous agreement with Amorim’s side.

Why United’s latest target would be a huge upgrade on Gomes

As part of the club’s hunt for a new central midfielder this winter, numerous players have appeared on their radar – with Wolverhampton Wanderers star Joao Gomes just one option being considered.

Over the last couple of days, it’s been reported that the 24-year-old would be extremely keen on a move to Old Trafford in the coming months, with his current side sitting bottom of the Premier League.

As a result, a £44m price tag has been mooted for the midfielder’s signature in recent times, which could be a potential bargain for a proven English top-flight talent.

However, given the nature of the hunt for a new deep-lying option, the supporters will no doubt be hoping for a more high-profile and top-level addition to bolster the ranks.

Whilst many fans may crave a deal for a player of Wharton’s calibre, a winter deal may be somewhat unrealistic, with the Eagles potentially demanding up to £100m for his signature.

As a result, a deal for Ederson certainly could be on the cards for Amorim’s men, with the Brazilian certainly a better option than Gomes in the upcoming window.

When comparing their stats from the ongoing campaign, the Atalanta star has dominated in numerous key areas, showcasing why he would be the better addition at present.

Ederson, who’s been dubbed “out of this world” by former England boss Fabio Capello, has completed more of the passes he’s attempted, with more of his efforts per 90 going into the final third.

Such numbers highlight the Brazilian’s ball-playing ability, which could allow him to dictate the play for United for a deep-lying position – allowing Bruno to take up a more advanced role as a result.

Games played

8

12

Minutes played

588

925

Progressive carries

1.4

1.2

Progressive passes

7.5

5.6

Pass accuracy

90%

84%

Passes into final third

6.6

4.1

% of tackles won

53%

51%

Interceptions made

1.6

1.1

Take-on success

50%

47%

Out of possession, the Atalanta star has been just as dominant over Gomes, as seen by his higher tackle success rate and more interceptions completed per 90.

The aforementioned tallies could certainly provide Amorim with the ball-winning option he’s been craving, at a bargain, too given his current asking price.

All-round, Ederson is a more complete option for the Red Devils, with his higher take-on success and progressive carries per 90 tally reaffirming his incredible ability to transition the play.

£43.7m for a player of the 26-year-old’s quality in the current market is an excellent price, with the hierarchy needing to work tirelessly to complete a deal for his signature.

There’s no denying Gomes would be an impressive addition too, but when a player of Ederson’s quality is currently available, it’s a no-brainer as to who the club should pursue in the coming weeks.

Shades of McTominay: Man Utd star is now their "most underrated player"

Manchester United now have a player who has certainly gone under the radar over the last couple of months.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 28, 2025

Football is a fickle game, but the feel-good factor has certainly returned to Manchester United in recent weeks, with Ruben Amorim’s men now in the midst of a rare three-game winning run in the Premier League.

While the prior win at Anfield may have been the cliched ‘statement’ performance, the subsequent display against Brighton provided even greater reason for encouragement.

Like the red arrows – or Sir Alex Ferguson’s beloved geese – United swarmed the Seagulls on Saturday night, with the frontline, in particular, simply proving too hot to handle.

This much-debated 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 set-up has no doubt had its critics, but the weekend triumph showcased what it can look like in full flow, with so many avenues available to hurt the opposition.

If it’s not Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha, it’s Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro making an impact, with even the high press of the backline working to emphatic effect amid Luke Shaw’s involvement in the opening two goals.

Where Amorim’s machine currently looks at its best, however, is on the right flank, making it all the more troubling that the Portuguese will soon be without the dynamic duo of Amad and Bryan Mbeumo.

How many games Amad and Mbeumo could miss due to AFCON

There was a moment on the opening weekend that seemed to illustrate everything wrong with Amorim’s approach, with the left-footed pair of Amad and Mbeumo getting in each other’s way inside the area against Arsenal.

With both men looking to come in onto their favoured left foot, they had been occupying the same areas in the early weeks of the season. That has all changed since Sunderland, however.

There were shades of Yorke and Cole about the two men against the Black Cats, while they also combined again to devastating effect against Liverpool, with opposite number Milos Kerkez enduring a torrid day at the office.

As Amad has himself spoken of, there is a fluidity emerging regarding United’s right-sided duo, with the pair comfortable alternating between a no.10 or right wing-back berth mid-game.

Mbeumo, signed for a total fee of £71m this summer, now boasts five goals already for the Red Devils, while Amad has created two ‘big chances’ and provided one assist in the Premier League thus far, as per Sofascore.

Frustratingly, this developing partnership is set to be halted in the near future, with the upcoming African Cup of Nations set to kick off on 21 December. Amad and Mbeumo will be representing Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon, respectively.

While festive fixtures are yet to be totally confirmed by broadcasters, United currently face Aston Villa (21st), Newcastle United (27th) and Wolverhampton Wanderers (30th) in late December, with further fixtures at risk in January should their nations progress.

Bournemouth

15th December

Aston Villa

21st December

Newcastle*

27 December

Wolves*

30th December

Leeds

3rd Jan

Burnley

7th Jan

FA Cup 3rd round

10th Jan

Man City

17th Jan

There should be no pressure applied for the pair to forego their international commitments, however, with Amorim and co instead needing to find international solutions to help fill that double-barreled void.

How Man Utd can replace Mbeumo and Amad

As per journalist Samuel Luckhurst, the impending departure of the two widemen will likely see United block potential January exits, with the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee having been tipped to depart in the New Year.

In truth, the club’s attacking options are light as it is following the summer exits of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Antony, with Amorim unable to afford his frontline getting any weaker.

Thankfully, an obvious solution to the Mbeumo absence would be Mason Mount, with the Englishman – who was named on the bench last time out – comfortable either in a left-sided or right-sided number ten role.

That would then leave Cunha and Sesko to complete the attacking trio, with the likes of Zirkzee and Mainoo in reserve – while a surprise chance could emerge for academy sensation, Shea Lacey.

If Amorim is looking for a more natural replacement for either Mbeumo or Amad, however, it might be Patrick Dorgu who he turns to, with the left footer able to provide another “explosive” presence down the right flank – as U23 scout Antonio Mango has described him.

While predominantly deployed on the left flank following his January arrival from Leece, the young Dane has been ousted from that role of late, with Diogo Dalot slotting in at left wing-back in each of the last three victories.

It would seem bizarre to have a right-footer on the left, and a left-footer on the right, although that approach is working currently, ensuring Dorgu might be the man to fill that Amad-Mbeumo-shaped hole.

Indeed, prior to moving to Manchester, the versatile 21-year-old had regularly lined up as a right winger in Italy, with three of his five Serie A goals coming from a right-wing or right midfield berth, as per Transfermarkt.

An impressive ball carrier, like Amad and Mbeumo, Dorgu currently ranks in the top 7% of full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carriers per 90, as per FBref, as well as in the top 5% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 – highlighting his willingness to get forward.

Too often, the £30m signing produces a wayward attempt when cutting onto his right foot from the left, with there the chance that he might well benefit from being able to cut in onto his preferred foot instead from the opposite flank.

Noted as a statistically similar player to Amad in this season’s Premier League, as per FBref, Dorgu might well be the man to replace the Ivorian in something of a new role, having only featured on the right a handful of times to date under Amorim – namely on debut against Leicester City.

The ten-cap Denmark international will have big shoes to fill over the Christmas period, but he might just be the international solution that Amorim is in need of.

Not Cunha or Mbeumo: Man Utd gem is becoming one of the "best in the world"

Manchester United have yet another world-class star on their hands under Ruben Amorim.

2 ByEthan Lamb Oct 30, 2025