Nathaniel Brown: Man United chase after disaster – Man United News And Transfer News | The People’s Person

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Manchester United have reportedly accelerated their pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt full-back Nathaniel Brown after disaster struck Old Trafford this week.

Dorgu out for the count

Patrick Dorgu has enjoyed a revival under Michael Carrick since the 44-year-old coach took over from Ruben Amorim two weeks ago. Despite Amorim publicly stating that he felt Dorgu’s ‘fear’ in possession after the 1-0 defeat to Everton in November, the 21-year-old Dane has come alive since being redeployed as a left winger this month.

Back-to-back goals against Manchester City and Arsenal – his goal at the Emirates already leading the way for Goal of the Season – were complemented by a superb assist against Burnley in a 2-2 draw. As a winger, Dorgu looks confident on the ball, in contrast to the nervous full-back Amorim observed, maintaining his excellent physicality and work rate out of possession – a combination that opposition full-backs are not used to.

However, in a cruel twist, the Denmark international has been ruled out for the next ten weeks after suffering a serious hamstring injury in the 3-2 win over Arsenal. This leaves United’s squad depleted on the left, with Matheus Cunha the only striker comfortable on the left wing and no backup for Luke Shaw at left-back.

This has led the club’s hierarchy to make a last-minute choice for a player on the left who can provide depth in both positions. That’s why Brown, Frankfurt’s 22-year-old flying fullback, is a perfect target. However, it is unlikely that a deal will be agreed before the summer as the Bundesliga club’s prohibitive asking price – believed to be in excess of £40 million – will exceed United’s budget this month.

United increases interest

TEAMtalk reveals that the Red Devils “have stepped up their search for a new left-back,” with scouts sent to watch Brown in action against Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League on Wednesday evening. The report states that the Germany international is considered one of the “most exciting young full-backs” and has been on the “Arsenal and Manchester City radar” for months.

However, United are now ready to beat their rivals after “carrying out detailed checks on the defender” after receiving favorable reports from scouts. “United’s recruitment team, led by director of football Jason Wilcox, is deep into their summer planning and has identified three priority positions: central midfield, a forward and a full-back – with a left-back now seen as a likely need.

“The new 4-2-3-1 system has been brought in by Michael Carrick, but even if he doesn’t get the manager’s job on a full-time basis, the belief within the club is that whoever is in charge in August, it will almost certainly be someone deploying a back four.

“Last year’s signing of Patrick Dorgu is admired internally, but the Dane is increasingly seen as a wide player rather than a defender, leaving United without natural options on the left. Luke Shaw was seen as a natural left winger in Amorim’s system, but in the long term they need other options.”

United’s recruitment department is “active across Europe in recent weeks” to find the best candidate – and that hunt appears to have led them to the Waldstadion in Frankfurt.

Feature image Alex Grimm via Getty Images

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