Man Utd close on imminent £29.4m transfer with Ruben Amorim to now let star leave

Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Lecce defender Patrick Dorgu.

The left-back is set to become the first signing under new United boss Ruben Amorim.

United sources say a deal for the 20-year-old is progressing but Dorgu is not expected to travel to Manchester today, as claimed in Italy. With Amorim unable to rely on the fitness of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, both of whom have endured long-term injury absences, Amorim made recruiting a left wing-back his priority in this month’s transfer window.

Dorgu’s imminent arrival at United, in a deal worth £29.4million, is likely to signal the end of Malacia’s time at United, with Real Betis - who signed United winger Antony on loan last week - among the clubs who could take him.

Shaw was back in training on Wednesday ahead of the United squad flying to Bucharest for their Europa League meeting with Steaua on Thursday.

Shaw has been ruled out since the start of December through injury. He has been able to make just three substitute appearances this season, in United's games against Ipswich Town, Bodo/Glimt and Everton. His last start in any competition was England’s defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024.

Image: PA) PA)

His appearance marked the first time Shaw has been seen on grass since early December and the left-sided role in Amorim's preferred 3-4-2-1 formation has been a major problem for the ex-Sporting boss. Diogo Dalot has been asked to deputise in Shaw's absence and has continued to keep Malacia on the sidelines despite his recent return to action.

When Amorim arrived he earmarked Shaw as a player who could be key to his new-look side - if he get him fit, and, indeed, keep him that way. He said in December: "What I said to him, as a coach is, that since I am here, I saw him in the medical department. I saw him in the gym. I saw him losing weight. I saw him training. So he did everything right.

"Sometimes, when you have one or two injuries, it's really hard to recover. If he continues with this behaviour, doing everything he can, I will be here. All the staff will be here, as long as it takes. We believe a lot in him, he's so important for our team.

"For the future, I see in this team, Luke is a very important player for us."

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