Patrick Dorgu joined Manchester United this week to become the third Denmark international in the squad.
The 20-year-old joined Manchester United on a five-and-a-half-year deal from Italian side Lecce on Sunday. Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven were introduced to the Old Trafford faithful before United’s 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.
United decided to prioritise the addition of a left wing-back ahead of the January transfer window, with Dorgu as the prime target. That meant United did not end up adding any forwards to their squad despite losing Antony and Marcus Rashford on temporary deals.
Dorgu will be an important addition to help Ruben Amorim play with his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation. Rasmus Hojlund will hope his fellow countryman will be able to provide assists from the left flank.
Manchester United endorsing Danish talent
It’s big news in Denmark that United currently have three of their international players in the squad, including Christian Eriksen.
Dorgu is expected to come straight into the team when United take on Leicester City in the FA Cup on Friday night.
The left wing-back has been warned by his national team coach, Brian Riemer, that he is going to have to adapt to an unprecedented level of expectation following his move from Lecce to United.
“It is a huge endorsement of Danish talent development that two of our greatest talents Rasmus Hojlund and Patrick Dorgu, are part of perhaps the world’s greatest club,” Reimer told Tipsbladet.
“Patrick must know that when he goes from Lecce to Manchester United, the expectations and pressure are completely different. He has also had a lot of considerations about that with his supporters.
“If he succeeds, the gain is also greater, because then he is on the biggest blade. He has every opportunity to take a huge step forward in his career, but it is up to him to seize the chance.”
Dorgu only made his first team debut for Denmark last September, so he has a lot to experience at that level, after coming off the bench for the closing stages of a 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Nations League.
Denmark are back in action in March with a two-legged affair against Portugal in the Nations League quarter-final. Dorgu will be looking for his second start for his country at senior level.
Dorgu will help Hojlund struggles
Hojlund has struggled in front of goal this season and it doesn’t help that United’s first team have not got athletic full-backs who get up and down the line quickly.
The Danish striker needs more service to score goals and we can all look forward to Dorgu getting up the line before making crosses.
They have not played much together at international level, but that is about to change.
It’s only a bonus for United and Denmark that they will be playing together now. Hopefully it benefits Hojlund and he can get back to scoring goals.
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