Manchester United get one big injury boost as young winger Patrick Dorgu dey make good progress for him hamstring injury recovery. The Denmark international wey get 21 years don return to grass for Carrington training ground, dey work individually. Dorgu bin get injury for that 3-2 away win against Arsenal for January 25, and dem expect am to miss about 10 weeks.
For early days under interim manager Michael Carrick, Dorgu be revelation. Him score for 1-0 win over Newcastle on Boxing Day, for 2-0 win over Manchester City for January 17, and for that 3-2 victory over league-leaders Arsenal. Carrick self talk say, “Pat’s been a big player for us, obviously he’s scored two goals but in terms of the threat and athleticism and quality, he’s been immense.”
Even though United no miss am too much – Carrick don use Matheus Cunha for left side – Dorgu form before injury no go forget. Him get three goals and three assists for 22 Premier League appearances this season. The boy wey Ruben Amorim bin dey use as left wing-back don turn to proper left winger under Carrick.
Meanwhile, for goalkeeper department, Manchester United dey face decisions for summer. Andre Onana wey dey on loan with Trabzonspor for Turkey no get option for permanent deal, and the 30-year-old no don give up on him United career. But Senne Lammens don become No.1, and Onana too expensive to just dey sit down as backup. United recruitment bosses wan sell the former Ajax and Inter Milan goalkeeper, but e no go easy.
For the other side, young goalkeeper Radek Vitek go return from loan spell with Bristol City for Championship with him reputation don rise. The 22-year-old Czech youth international be one of standout goalkeepers for second tier, and plenty clubs dey eye am. United never decide for Vitek future yet.
Altay Bayindir fit follow Onana comot as him dey find more first-team football. Veteran Tom Heaton fit sign new deal to remain as third-choice. That one mean say United go need new No.2, and Vitek fit be the answer. But after tasting regular football for Bristol City, Vitek don know wetin him need for him development.
Vitek talk say, “At this stage in my career, I want to play as many games as possible.” About next season plans, him add, “I will communicate with Manchester United closely, and we will see what’s going to be best for me next season. But I want to play football.”
United goalkeeping coach Craig Mawson don dey in regular contact with Vitek this season. This na the third loan spell for the player wey join Old Trafford at 16. Him don do well for Accrington Stanley for League Two and Blau-Weiss Linz for Austria.
Vitek no likely to challenge Lammens now, and e fit make United cash in while him stock dey high. For summer of 2023, dem make £22.7million from selling academy goalkeepers Dean Henderson (£15m) and Matej Kovar (£7.7m). If dem sell Vitek now, that tally go pass £30million.
But that one no go solve the problem of finding backup for Lammens. Some people dey argue say United better try convince Vitek to stay. With Carrick side dey on track to return to Europe, dem fit tell Vitek say him go play for domestic cup competitions and maybe get appearance for Champions League league phase.
That kind development path still dey valuable for young goalkeeper. E keep Caoimhin Kelleher for spotlight at Liverpool before him move to Brentford last summer, and e don enough to keep James Trafford for England squad. Trafford still want more than being No.2 to Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Time go come when United go sell Vitek, but if him get another 10 to 12 games at Old Trafford next season and do well, him value go only rise. Performing for United go give am bigger profile than doing well for Bristol City. That one fit be solution wey work for both sides.
If United manage sell Onana and Bayindir this summer, Vitek fit step into that No.2 role. And if him do well, him fit earn better move for 2027. For now, United focus dey on securing Champions League place for next season. Dem dey third for Premier League table, don win seven of 10 games under Carrick management, with 23 from possible 30 points.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
