Dutch wing-back Denzel Dumfries was once on Manchester United's radar amid a contract stalemate, but a new revelation has all but extinguished the Red Devils' hopes
Manchester United target Denzel Dumfries has penned a new contract with Inter Milan. This comes despite his refusal to negotiate last year, which had the Red Devils hoping he could solve their wing-back issues.
Since coach Ruben Amorim's arrival at Old Trafford, the hunt for competent wing-backs to suit his system has been lingering. The likes of Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw, and Noussair Mazraoui simply haven't cut it, and Patrick Dorgu, who was recruited in January, has failed to make a splash.
Back in the summer of 2024, it was reported that Dutch defender Dumfries would refuse to pen a new deal with Inter until after the window had closed, and even when it did, no negotiations were entered. This put United on high alert, as, according to The Athletic, Dumfries was focused on moving elsewhere, and the Red Devils appealed the most.
With Amorim joining and placing a further emphasis on wide play, the prospect of a player of Dumfries' calibre being poached this summer, with his contract winding down, would have been joyous for United, though these hopes have now been dashed.
The 29-year-old, who has played a pivotal role in guiding last year's Scudetto winners to the Champions League final, where they'll face Paris Saint-Germain, has reversed his wish to depart and signed a new deal in Italy until 2028.
Amorim's side are now left in an all-too-familiar predicament, with the right-sided wing-back position one they are in dire need of improving. One player who was linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer was Dumfries' fellow countryman, Bundesliga star Jeremie Frimpong.
The pacey 24-year-old was a key part of Bayer Leverkusen's brilliant unbeaten league campaign last year, and with his contract nearing its end, suitors were queuing up.
Yet, though his expertise up and down the right-hand side would have suited Amorim's United to a tee, and they were reportedly actively pursuing a deal for the player, according to German outlet BILD, rivals Liverpool will imminently secure his services for roughly £30million.
With both Dumfries and Frimpong lost out on, attention will likely turn elsewhere, with a gaping hole still occupying this area of the pitch.
Amorim has made it clear in the past exactly what he wants from his right-sided star, stating after a home win against Everton last December: "What I want is a good one-against-one, to open the field, to play, to close the field when we lose the ball, and it is the same in every team."
Stephen Warnock, a full-back who starred for Liverpool and Aston Villa, among others, detailed exactly what traits a competent wing-back will need to thrive in the Premier Legaue, telling The Athletic: "You've got to be able to get up and down the pitch.
"You also need replacements to come on and be able to play in those areas," he continued, suggesting that just one signing within these areas may not be enough for United.
"If you are going to be up and down in that position, then you've got to be able to run yourself into the ground for, say, 70 to 80 minutes, and then maybe at the end of the game, you need someone to come on and just fill in that gap."