Amorim spent 40 million but only used him as a substitute left-back; Manchester United may need to buy again! Fans blame Ten Hag

In Ruben Amorim’s first year as coach, Manchester United has signed two left-backs. Ironically, during their recent three-game winning streak, the Red Devils’ starting left wing-back was actually Portuguese right-back Diogo Dalot! Patrick Dogu, who joined in the winter window for 35 million euros, has made fans nervous every time he appears on the field.

In the 4-2 victory over Brighton, after Dogu came on for Amad Diallo, he nearly received a red card for fouling Yankuba Minte. Although Minte lost control of the ball, sparing Dogu from dismissal, Welbeck capitalized on the free kick to score for Brighton, creating a tense atmosphere at Old Trafford.

Dogu’s performances at Manchester United have yet to fully convince; his attacking play has especially drawn criticism. Despite providing 2 assists in 29 matches and showing courage in challenges, he wastes too much possession, is considered reckless, technically weak, and tends to run aimlessly. Even Amorim, who brought him in, is dissatisfied and has repeatedly left him on the bench.

Interestingly, in Manchester United’s official player awards, Dogu was shortlisted alongside Bruno Fernandes and Sheshko for the club’s best player of September! Naturally, Dogu did not win, with Bruno taking the honor. By October, Dogu had already been sidelined by Amorim.

Another left-back signed by Amorim for 5 million euros, the 18-year-old Diego Leon, briefly trained with the first team but was eventually assigned to the reserves to gain experience in the U21 league. Although he scored a long-range goal against Tottenham’s youth team, his level is still not sufficient for the Premier League. Therefore, Tyrell Malacia, who had not played for nine months, reappeared on the bench against Brighton.

If Dogu does not improve quickly, Manchester United may look to reinforce the left-back position again next year. The long-time first-choice left-back Luke Shaw is now older and has shifted to left center-back. Meanwhile, the club’s so-called “Luke Shaw successor,” English youngster Harry Arter, is currently on loan at Championship side Sheffield Wednesday this season.

Many Manchester United fans still blame former coach Ten Hag, because if it weren’t for his decisions, the club would likely already have a quality left-back — Real Madrid’s key player Álvaro Fernández Carreras. In Sunday’s Spanish El Clásico, Rashford’s assist attracted attention, but another former Red Devil was also on the pitch: Carreras, once known by United fans as “A-Fern.”

Carreras joined Manchester United’s academy at 17 and was named the reserve team’s best player but never appeared for the first team. During the 2022/23 season loan at Championship club Preston, he was voted best newcomer. However, when Malacia was injured and Luke Shaw sidelined, Ten Hag refused to use Carreras, reportedly because he deemed him too slow for the Premier League and believed his defensive skills only suited a three-center-back system.

After his loan, Carreras proved his quality at Benfica, and this summer Real Madrid paid 50 million euros to bring him back to the Bernabéu. This season, he has started 12 of 13 La Liga matches as Spain’s left-back. In the game against Barcelona, Carreras made 2 tackles, 3 clearances, 3 interceptions, and 6 ball recoveries, effectively neutralizing Anssumane Fati, who had zero shots on target.

Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation demands a lot from wing-backs, and currently, Manchester United doesn’t have a fullback who meets his standards. If he continues as coach, signing a new wing-back in the future will be inevitable.