'Very close' - Manchester United transfer twist as new team eye hijack

Manchester United were beaten 3-1 at home by Brighton and Hove Albion last time out. Bruno Fernandes got their goal against the Seagulls in what turned out to be a disappointing afternoon.

The Red Devils will want to bounce back with a positive result against Rangers in the Europa League next up. They welcome the Scottish Premiership side to Old Trafford on Thursday evening.

Manchester United update regarding Patrick Dorgu links

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Napoli are ‘very close’ to agreeing a deal for United target Patrick Dorgu. However, the picture could change if Ruben Amorim’s side gazump them with an offer.

Dorgu, who is 20-years-old, could be seen by the Red Devils as someone to bolster their defensive ranks. He is young and has the potential to get better down the line.

The prospect is from Copenhagen and started his career with spells at Husum Boldklub and Nordsjælland. He has made four caps for the Denmark national team so far.

He was snapped up by Lecce in 2022 and has since broken into their first-team. The youngster has made 56 appearances in all competitions and has chipped in with five goals, three of which have come in this campaign.

His current club will face a battle to keep hold of him this winter amid attention from elsewhere. If United got him, he would battle it out with Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot and Tyrell Malacia for a place in their team.

The Red Devils need to fight off competition from Napoli to land his signature though. It remains uncertain where the player will be playing his football beyond the deadline in a couple of weeks.

What now for Manchester United?

United have the chance to bring in some players before the window shuts. They also have the opportunity to let some individuals leave.

The Red Devils need to rise up the table and climb away from the position they are in. They have lacked consistency this term and Amorim said after their defeat to Brighton: “In 10 games in the Premier League, we won two. We are being the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United. I know that you want headlines, but I'm saying that because we have to acknowledge that and to change that. Here you go, your headlines."

Pundit Jamie Carragher has said, as per Sky Sports: “I don't know Man Utd's history as well as Gary Neville but I must say it was one of the most bizarre and ridiculous things I've ever heard a manager say. Why you would make a comment like that… that's the type of comment a pundit would make, someone in my position, and you'd have to defend that. I don't know what he gains from that, what the benefit is.

"We all know it's a poor Man Utd team. They'd lost another game at home to Brighton, they'd done that in the last couple of years anyway. We know it's a tough season, we know it's a poor team. He has just loosened it up. That will be a quote that follows him for the rest of the season.”