Manchester United star Diogo Dalot is ready to battle incoming £30million signing Patrick Dorgu for a place in Ruben Amorim's XI.
Dorgu, 20, is expected to join United from Italian side Lecce for an initial €30million (£25.15m) plus €5m (£4.19m) in add-ons. Having been dropped to the bench for Lecce's clash with Parma in Serie A on Friday night, Dorgu's move to Old Trafford should be finalised well before Monday's 11pm transfer deadline.
The Denmark international will arrive as a specialist left wing-back, a role which Dalot has had to fill during Amorim's first two months in charge. First-choice left-back Luke Shaw has been injured while his backup, Tyrell Malacia, has failed to convince his new boss.
But Dalot doesn't fear competition from Dorgu, sending a message to both him and Amorim after scoring a goal in United's 2-0 win away to FSCB in the Europa League on Thursday. "It's been my whole life at this club, competing," the Portuguese defender told The United Stand.
"Nobody comes to Manchester United thinking that there's not going to be competition for positions. That's been my life at Manchester United all the time. I feel pretty comfortable on both sides and, obviously, when you start playing a lot of games in the same position, it starts to become even more comfortable.
"Overall, I'm here to help. I think the club and the manager already know the profile of player that I am. I'm ready to help the team, be in my best shape possible and when the time comes, try to give my best."
Dalot has been criticised for his recent performances, with his team-mates also struggling to get to grips with Amorim's 3-4-3 formation. The 25-year-old has explained how a lack of time on the training ground with Amorim has been detrimental, with United playing 18 games in the space of two months.
"It's pretty much been training within in games, I think that's been the most difficult part," Dalot added. "Obviously, it is not the same thing because you always try to adapt as quickly as you can as games are always different. But at the same time, we play at this level, we play for a big club and we need to adapt as quickly as possible.
"We've been getting better but, obviously, it helps when you're winning games. That's the momentum that we want to keep. Another clean sheet so I think it's important for the club."