Patrick Dorgu is in Manchester. In the last month, Manchester United had at least two bids rejected for the Danish Lecce player, the Serie A club was fighting for survival in the top division and was not keen on weakening the defence halfway through the season. Then the United management used the “We are a giant” card and the Italian club had to take the sale profit.
Lecce president Sticchi Damiani gives us a glimpse into the process behind closed doors, where the club resisted pressure from the Premier League club for the longest time before they had to give in and accept bids of around €35 million.
“Manchester United insisted, even though we asked several times to postpone it until the summer. We also promised the young man that he would not miss the opportunity,” the Lecce president begins, according to Corriere dello Sport.
“It was also a historic change for us, but we just wanted to wait until July. The English informed us that they had a great desire for a trade immediately. So it was now or never, which they also said to the player, says the club president.
Now or never transfer to Manchester United! When this is presented to a 20-year-old, who two years ago played at Nordsjælland’s academy, this is an ultimatum that either puts you out for the rest of the season, or makes you push for exit.
We remember Ruben Amorim when he had signed for Manchester United in November. At the time, he told a press conference that he himself wanted to end the season at Sporting, but the United management gave him three days to make the decision that was presented as a “now, or never” offer.
Some United supporters who take a look at the Premier League table will probably say “now or never” pressure can backfire.
