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Man United have been monitoring Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo in recent weeks along with the rest of the Premier League's top clubs.
When Antoine Semenyo scored in the eight-goal thriller at Old Trafford earlier this month, he proved exactly why Manchester United and several other Premier League clubs had been monitoring him ahead of the January transfer window. The 25-year-old is exactly what top teams want from a player these days.
He can play in multiple positions, he's quick and knows how to finish. What more could Ruben Amorim or any other manager ask for? Not only that, he also has a release clause which essentially guarantees his exit at the turn of the year.
£65m for a player like Semenyo could not be overlooked, hence why United entered the race despite spending more than £200m upgrading their attack in the summer. Sadly for the Reds, their chances of signing Semenyo look slim.
Manchester City are looking to wrap up a deal for the Bournemouth star. It would be a blow to miss out on a player like Semenyo, but not as big a blow as it would have looked a few weeks ago.
Questions have been asked about Patrick Dorgu in recent months. Before the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), he had been replaced on the left flank by Diogo Dalot, despite the Portugal international being more suited to the right. Dorgu needed to step up and he has done just that.
Against Aston Villa and Newcastle, Dorgu has enjoyed two of his best performances in a United shirt. Full credit must go to the wing-back, considering we have seen players more experienced than him shrink when they have been in the firing line for criticism.
Amorim spoke about Dorgu's struggles in November, saying: "He needs to be calmer playing the game. You can feel the anxiety every time Patrick touches the ball. I can feel the anxiety."
Against Newcastle on Boxing Day, anxiety was certainly not an issue. Dorgu produced one of the best goals of United's season to win that game and only a brilliant performance from Ayden Heaven prevented him from taking home the Man of the Match award.
Dorgu would go on to address the aforementioned criticism after the Boxing Day win, stating: "Of course it's never nice to get criticism, but you will always get it as a player. And you need to react well to it, and I think I've reacted well in the last couple of games."
This uptick in form is exactly what was needed and softens the blow if United miss out on Semenyo. If United revert to a back three, they know Dorgu can offer a threat down the left flank, as Amad has on the right.
It is an unexpected boost for the Reds but certainly one they will be thankful of as they head into the January fixtures.
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