Winter windows come and go without a trace of noise. Manchester UnitedPrevious talk of a deal for Antoine Semenyo in January was quickly quashed with the Ghanaian’s move to the Etihad.

Ineos have unsurprisingly put all their eggs in the summer basket following the sudden sacking of Ruben Amorim, as there remains considerable uncertainty over who will be in charge next season and whether the team will compete in the Champions League.

It all came into play in a quiet few weeks, with the Red Devils deciding not to repeat last year’s campaign, snapping up Aiden Paradise and Patrick Dogu Mid-season.

It’s taken almost 12 months, but the investment in Dolgu is already starting to bear fruit, with the 21-year-old enjoying a rich festive atmosphere with eye-catching goals against the likes of Newcastle United, Manchester City and Arsenal.

The Dane is only starting to find his feet after moving into a more advanced role, but he has been cruelly targeted in his current absence. Michael Carrick There’s a vexing problem to solve over the next ten weeks.

How Manchester United can replace Dolgu on the wing

Things were going well for Dolgu, with the former Lecce man claiming the club’s January Player of the Month award and deservedly being reborn in a switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation.

The £30m signing’s crowning moment certainly came at the Emirates Stadium, with his powerful strike sparking excitement among the away fans while United’s rising stars celebrated shyly.

A hamstring injury may not come as a surprise for a player who has been out on the wing in recent weeks, but it is still frustrating and a solution needs to be found on the left.

Of course, his replacement last time out, Matheus Cunha, shot him expertly against Fulham, but the Brazilian is a different player, tending to play inside while also regularly appearing on the right wing.

In a world where the 26-year-old could be deployed as a false nine, with Bryan Mbeumo on the right and Amad on the left, the Ivorian is equally passionate, persistent and possesses Dolgu-esque pace.

Likewise, Carrick could repurpose 18-year-old Shay Lacey as a left-winger, although he has typically been deployed on the right in the youth teams, a side United have successfully had a naturally left-footed player on in recent weeks.

Joshua Zirkzee could also option to play a Cunha-esque role on the left, as could Mason Mount, and thankfully Carrick is not short of options.

That said, if it’s Dolgu 2.0 he’s looking for, the Englishman might already be a perfect fit for the academy.

Manchester United may have signed the next Dolgu

In Cunha and Mbemo, Ineos have followed a route to Premier League-proven ready-made signings, although many of their recent signings have been made with an eye on the future.

Heaven and Dorgu certainly fit that category, as does Diego Leon, the 18-year-old signed from Cerro Porteno in the summer for £6m.

Originally signed early last year before a belated move to Manchester at the age of 18, the Paraguayan star is still waiting for a chance in the first team, having made most of his appearances in the U21 side so far.

Although a left-back, the teenager has been deployed as a full-back like Dolgu, suggesting he could also be released further forward, reflecting the Dane being a truly versatile asset that Carrick could use at his disposal.

Like Dolgu, Leon’s game relies heavily on his exceptional speed and power, with analyst and Como scout Ben Martinson commenting that he “like a steam train“When full flow.

This almost unstoppable quality was on display during his previous return to Paraguay, where he scored four goals in 33 senior games for his former club, similar to Dolgu’s record of five goals in 57 appearances in Italy.

This flash of attack-mindedness was also reflected in United’s youth ranks, with Leon emerging from his own half to score a stunning solo goal against Tottenham Hotspur’s U21 side.

The way he carries the ball out from the back is Dorgu-esque or even – dare we say – Gareth Bale -esque, ensuring the youngster is likely to be another surprise left-footer.

Journalist Ben Jacobs claims such is Leon’s recent progress that he is considered ahead of schedule, with United and Ineos yet to decide what to do with the left wing heading into the summer.

He is likely to compete for Luke Shaw’s place at left-back in the long term, but deploying Leon as Dolgu’s direct replacement in the short term could be a risk worth taking if he is to become a senior player.

Relevant

Cesc to the rescue: Carrick must drop Manchester United star who won just one game against Fulham

Manchester United beat Fulham in the dying seconds at Old Trafford, with Benjamin Sesco’s late goal sealing a 3-2 victory.