Nathaniel Brown: Man United ramp up pursuit after disaster strikes | OneFootball

Manchester United are reportedly accelerating their pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt’s wing-back Nathaniel Brown after disaster struck Old Trafford this week.

Dorgu out for the count

Patrick Dorgu has enjoyed a resurgence under Michael Carrick since the 44-year-old coach took over from Ruben Amorim two weeks ago. Despite Amorim publicly stating he felt Dorgu’s “anxiety” in possession after the 1-0 loss to Everton in November, the 21-year-old Dane has burst to life since being redeployed as a left winger this month.

Back-to-back goals against Manchester City and Arsenal – his strike at the Emirates already a frontrunner for Goal of the Season – were supplemented by a superb assist versus Burnley in a 2-2 draw. As a winger, Dorgu looks assured on the ball, a far cry from the nervous wing-back Amorim was observing, while maintaining his outstanding physicality and work-rate out of possession – a combination opposition full-backs are not used to facing.

However, in a cruel twist, the Denmark international has been ruled out for the next ten weeks after picking up a serious hamstring injury in the 3-2 win over Arsenal. It leaves United’s squad depleted on the left-hand side, with Matheus Cunha the only attacker comfortable on the left wing and no back-up to Luke Shaw at left-back.

This has led the club’s hierarchy to consider a last-minute swoop for a left-sided player, capable of providing depth in both positions – which is why Brown, Frankfurt’s 22-year-old flying full-back, is a perfect target. However, a deal is unlikely to be agreed until the summer, as the Bundesliga club’s prohibitive asking price – believed to be in excess of £40 million – will prove beyond United’s budget this month.

United ramp up interest

TEAMtalk reveals the Red Devils have “stepped up their search for a new left-back”, with scouts dispatched to watch Brown in action on Wednesday night against Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League.  The report contends the Germany international is considered one of the “most exciting young full-backs” and has been on the “radar of Arsenal and Manchester City for months.”

However, United are now ready to trump their rivals after “carrying out detailed checks on the defender” after receiving glowing reports from scouts.  “United’s recruitment team, led by director of football Jason Wilcox, are deep into their summer planning and have identified three priority positions: central midfield, a forward, and a full-back – with left-back now considered a likely need.

“The new 4-2-3-1 system has been deployed by Michael Carrick, but even if he does not get the manager’s job on a full-time basis, the belief within the club is that no matter who is in charge come next August, it will almost certainly be someone who deploys a back-four.

“Last year’s signing Patrick Dorgu is admired internally, but the Dane is increasingly viewed as a wide player rather than a defender, leaving United short of natural options on the left side. Luke Shaw was seen as a natural left-sider in Amorim’s system, but long-term they need other options.”

United’s recruitment department have been “active across Europe in recent weeks” to source the best candidate – and that hunt appears to have led them to the Waldstadion in Frankfurt.

Feature image Alex Grimm via Getty Images

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