Man Utd might blow it AGAIN with risky January transfer

Man Utd are risking another massive blunder in the transfer market.

The Red Devils are in the market for wing-backs, with new manager Ruben Amorim's system being heavily reliant on them and Man Utd not really having anyone who can do a good job there save for Amad Diallo.

With that in mind, Man Utd appear to have set their sights on Lecce's Patrick Dorgu. The Danish international is rated by many and is a multifunctional young talent who could actually play multiple positions.

READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano announces NEW Man Utd transfer bid

The delay on the deal is because Lecce are asking for around €40 million while the Red Devils ideally want to pay €30 million. However given the importance of the role in Ruben Amorim's system, United and Lecce will end up finding a compromise and the deal is expected to go through.

But, should it?

Obviously Man Utd need a left wing-back, but should it be Patrick Dorgu?

There are more famous alternatives, but their price (whether transfer fee, wages or both) render them less attractive targets, but there is someone who Man Utd could get for less than Dorgu who is clearly much more proven.

Benfica's Alvaro Carreras.

Benfica's Alvaro Carreras who was, two years ago, a Man Utd player.

Benfica's Alvaro Carreras upon whom Man Utd possess a €20 million buyback clause until 2026, meaning that even if another team is offering €50 million or more, Man Utd can snap up the Spaniard for cheap.

Alvaro Carreras: a rising star

This past midweek Barcelona beat Benfica in a barnstorming 5-4 win. A huge result! But the match began with Benfica on the front-foot and the man leading their charge was left-back Alvaro Carreras.

Starting in the first minute when he thundered into Lamine Yamal and won the ball back, then continuing into the second minute when he raced forward and whipped in a devastating cross that Vangelis Pavlidis smashed home to give Benfica the lead, Carreras dominated the opening few minutes at the Estadio da Luz.

This is a player who has very quickly gone from promising prospect who was Man Utd's U23 player of the year in 2022 that shone in the 2023/24 pre-season, only to be turfed out to Benfica, to become a starter at Benfica - all within two years.

READ MORE: Why Man City are like a jam donut and five signings that can help

Clearly Carreras is special, and the game against Barcelona proved it. Obviously he's not perfect (in his zeal to stifle Lamine Yamal he conceded a penalty with an errant challenge in the second-half) but he is already a proven Champions League calibre player.

And Barcelona took notice. Sport are reporting that the Blaugrana are keen to sign Carreras to compete with Alejandro Balde for their starting left-back role. And they won't be the only club who stands up and starts taking notice.

Barcelona will doubtless be charged a premium to get the left-back, but thanks to their buyback clause Man Utd can get him for a miniscule fee.

So, why aren't they?

Dorgu vs Carreras: the wrong wing-back?

At just 20 years-old, Patrick Dorgu is a multifunctional prospect who could go on to be truly great, but Man Utd need someone who can produce right now.

They cannot afford for Dorgu to come in and need time to get going, or to adapt to England, or to handle the pace of play in the Premier League, and that's not a fair environment to just throw Dorgu into. Look at how Anthony Elanga struggled to develop under the pressures of Man Utd but is now flying at Nottingham Forest.

The Red Devils are desperate for someone who is mentally tough to come in and start performing instantly. Someone who can handle intense pressure, expectation to perform and of course quality opponents.

READ MORE: Ruben Amorim has the WORST Man Utd win rate in 94 years

Alvaro Carreras has not only proven he can do all that at Benfica, but he already knows Man Utd the club! His adaptation time would be miniscule compared to other signings, his fee is low compared to other signings (just €20 million!) and his production is proven to be of the standard required.

Moving for Dorgu and not Carreras could work out, Dorgu certainly has the talent for it to do so, but with all the facts considered it does have all the makings of yet another Man Utd transfer market blunder.