Since joining Manchester United in January, Patrick Dorgu has shown glimpses of what he can bring to the team. The Denmark international has pledged to improve his attacking output from the wing-back position.
It was clear after Ruben Amorim became Manchester United head coach that he would need time to make changes to the squad.
One particular area of concern was the full-back because Amorim’s preferred formation (3-4-2-1) requires two wing-backs, except this wasn’t a requirement under Erik ten Hag, and it meant the squad had none as a result.
United already had problems at left-back due to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia being out injured. This meant Diogo Dalot had to play on the left, which was far from ideal, but things are starting to take shape in that department since the January transfer window.
Patrick Dorgu arrived from Leece and it wasn’t long before an improvement was noticed on the left flank. Now, he faces healthy competition from United academy graduate Harry Amass, meaning United have depth at left-wing back.
Patrick Dorgu admires Alphonso Davies and Theo Hernandez
After joining United for £25 million in the mid-season window, Dorgu has made 12 appearances under Amorim.
The left wing-back played on the right against Wolves on Sunday, but he is expected to eventually hold down that left wing-back role. There is a good chance United will look to strengthen the right flank in an attempt to add balance to Amorim’s team this summer.
Dorgu has revealed that he is working on his end product in the final third and United fans could see that with his crosses against Wolves at the weekend.
One glaring statistic that will be playing on Dorgu’s mind is the fact he has yet to register a goal or assist for the club.
“It’s a very attack-minded position,” Dorgu told United’s matchday programme. “I think I just need to improve my decision-making, to think fast on the pitch and to connect better with my teammates.
“I really like to get forward and help the team score goals and I just need to improve on my decision-making. But it will come.”
Dorgu added that he has been watching videos of Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies and AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez to help him identify more aspects of playing in this system.
Interestingly, Davies and Hernandez were linked with moves to United in January before the club opted to pursue Dorgu as a younger alternative.
“Yeah, I think they suit the position very well,” Dorgu continued. “They’re very attack-minded and they get forward a lot on the pitch.
“Alphonso Davies plays as a winger in the internationals and he has the quality to play there as well.”
Dorgu enjoys the pressure
Dorgu is still learning about what it takes to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, but he has made it clear he enjoys the pressure that comes with that.
It has been a horrendous campaign for United, sitting in the bottom half of the Premier League table, but Dorgu has a positive mindset about the future.
“I think the pressure is big at every club but especially United,” he added. “I think the pressure is high because the expectation is so high.
“But being calm on the pitch helps every player to improve and develop.
“Obviously, you know when you come in during a season like this, there was the pressure, with the expectation of the fans for the new players, it will be higher, for us to help the team as much as possible. I knew that from the start.”
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