“Best in Europe”: United target “elite” defender with the same attacking returns as Bruno Fernandes – report

Manchester United are pushing to sign Federico Dimarco as Inter Milan prepare to make a pivotal decision on his future at the San Siro, according to the latest report from Italy. Reinforcing the Left-Hand Side INEOS’s bombshell decision to sack Ruben Amorim last month has led to a revitalisation of the team, despite the initial chaos it caused. Michael Carrick was handed the reins as caretaker until the end of the season in the Portuguese coach’s absence. It marks the former midfielder’s second spell in the role at Old Trafford, having taken over from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2021. Carrick immediately reverted the side back to a 4-2-3-1 system, reinstating Kobbie Mainoo into midfield and pushing Bruno Fernandes back into his rightful No. 10 role – with immediate results. Four wins from four – something Amorim was unable to achieve across 14 months – has propelled United into the top four, while lifting the dark cloud which had engulfed the club over the Christmas period. United’s hierarchy will wait until the summer before deciding on a long-term successor for Amorim, though the calls for Carrick to be appointed permanently are growing by the week. However, a formation with a back four and flying wingers, be it a 4-2-3-1, a 4-3-3 or another variation, is expected to remain, regardless of who the head coach is next season. As such, a new option on the left-hand side, whether a full-back or winger, has emerged as a priority this summer, though the club’s plan for Patrick Dorgu will determine this decision. The Flying Wing-Back Dorgu has been reinvented as a left-winger under Carrick, with two outstanding performances – and goals – against Manchester City and Arsenal last month. The strike at the Emirates will be a strong contender for Goal of the Season. Matheus Cunha is also capable of playing on the left, as he has since Dorgu was ruled out with a serious hamstring injury. But the 21-year-old Dane is a more comfortable fit out wide, as Cunha’s best work comes more centrally. However, pushing Dorgu into a more advanced role leaves Luke Shaw as the only natural left-back in the squad – a player with a shocking injury record, despite his reliability this season. This has led United to reignite their interest in Dimarco, with the Red Devils “dreaming” of signing the Italy international, according to Tutto Sport (as relayed by Sports Witness). Dimarco operates as a wing-back for Inter Milan, providing their main attacking thrust down the left-hand side. He has returned an outstanding six goals and 13 assists this season, despite nominally playing as a ‘defender’. The 27-year-old’s versatility as a hybrid wide player means he would offer a much more potent option at left-back than Shaw, while also being able to play in a similar fashion to Dorgu further forward. Arsenal are understood to also be keeping tabs, setting up a potential showdown between the two Premier League rivals. However, the report from Italy states there is an expectation in Milan that Dimarco will sign a contract extension, with his current deal set to expire next year. Should the Italian put pen to paper on a renewal, it would take “something special” for the Red Devils to be able to lure him to Manchester this summer. Featured image Marco Luzzani via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Fox Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.