Man Utd Sign Dorgu from Lecce

Football - Serie A - Lecce v Inter Milan - Stadio Via del mare, Lecce, Italy - January 26, 2025 Lecce's Patrick Dorgu reacts. (Reuters)
Football - Serie A - Lecce v Inter Milan - Stadio Via del mare, Lecce, Italy - January 26, 2025 Lecce's Patrick Dorgu reacts. (Reuters)
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Man Utd Sign Dorgu from Lecce

Football - Serie A - Lecce v Inter Milan - Stadio Via del mare, Lecce, Italy - January 26, 2025 Lecce's Patrick Dorgu reacts. (Reuters)
Football - Serie A - Lecce v Inter Milan - Stadio Via del mare, Lecce, Italy - January 26, 2025 Lecce's Patrick Dorgu reacts. (Reuters)

Manchester United completed the signing of Danish defender Patrick Dorgu from Lecce on Sunday for a reported initial fee of £25 million ($37 million).

The 20-year-old has impressed in Serie A over the past two seasons, scoring five goals in 53 appearances in the Italian top flight, and has four caps for his country.

Dorgu is United's first signing of the Ruben Amorim era and should solve a lack of options down the left side for the Portuguese coach.

"I am incredibly proud to be able to call myself a Manchester United player; this is a very special day for my whole family," Dorgu said in a club statement.

“I cannot wait to work with Ruben Amorim; his vision for this team and the future of the club is incredibly exciting.

"There is a clear plan set out for my development, and I feel that Manchester United is the perfect place to fulfil my potential and complete my huge ambitions."

United's ability to back Amorim has been hampered by a need to meet profit and sustainability rules.

But the club's technical director Jason Wilcox is confident Dorgu is perfectly suited for Amorim's preferred 3-4-3 formation.

"Patrick is a really exciting talent; his strong defensive and attacking attributes, adaptability and work-rate will make him a key part of Ruben Amorim’s squad," said Wilcox.

"At the age of just 20, we know he will continue to develop under the guidance of our excellent coaching team."

United are hopeful of raising funds in the final hours of the transfer window, which shuts on Monday.

Marcus Rashford is reportedly on the verge of a loan move to Aston Villa, which will free up the majority of his reported £300,000-a-week wages.

Alejandro Garnacho has also been linked with Napoli but is unlikely to leave before Monday.



Fans Lift Alcaraz as he Makes Bee-line Into Last 16

Mar 10, 2025; Indian Wells, CA, USA;  Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) celebrates after defeating Denis Shapovalov (not pictured) in his third round match at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Well Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Mar 10, 2025; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) celebrates after defeating Denis Shapovalov (not pictured) in his third round match at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Well Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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Fans Lift Alcaraz as he Makes Bee-line Into Last 16

Mar 10, 2025; Indian Wells, CA, USA;  Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) celebrates after defeating Denis Shapovalov (not pictured) in his third round match at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Well Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Mar 10, 2025; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) celebrates after defeating Denis Shapovalov (not pictured) in his third round match at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Well Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz had a fun flashback at Indian Wells on Monday thanks to a group of fans dressed as bees -- homage to his match that was interrupted by a swarm of the insects last year.

A group of about 10 fans sported yellow and black striped costumes and made buzzing sounds in support of Alcaraz during his 6-2, 6-4 victory over Denis Shapovalov, AFP reported.

The Spaniard said he spotted them when they were shown on the big scoreboard.

"It helped me a lot because you know during the whole first set I was looking at them and laughing," he said with a big grin. "And I always say that when I'm laughing, when I'm having fun on the court I show good tennis.

"So probably thanks to them I could show good tennis," added Alcaraz, who said he first became aware of the group during the second game of the match.

"It was funny. I took a selfie with them at the end, because I think they deserve it."

Last year Alcaraz's quarter-final against Alexander Zverev was halted abruptly as swarming bees drove the players from Stadium Court.

Alcaraz was stung, swatting the insects away in alarm before seeking shelter.

The bees swarmed the remote-controled "spider cam" and the umpire's chair and there was a 45-minute delay before bee keeper Lance Davis arrived and vacuumed up the bees to release them elsewhere, allowing the match to continue.

Davis's work had already been noted this year -- he performed the ceremonial coin toss before Alcaraz's opening match.

"When I saw him I was laughing," Alcaraz said. "It has been a funny thing."