Manchester United have played two pre-season games so far, and outside of the usual suspects, Matheus Cunha and Bruno Fernandes, another star has put in consistently world-class displays.
Ruben Amorim has a clear idea of what he wants from this Man Utd squad now, and who he wants it from, as the club won’t play many games this season due to no European football.
Therefore, there is more pressure on each player to play to their maximum potential, because opportunities to impress are fewer.
That message has been heard loud and clear by a player who divided opinion last season, but has started the 2025/26 campaign like a man on a mission.
Patrick Dorgu is a man on a mission
When Patrick Dorgu arrived from Lecce as a 20-year-old right-winger-turned-left-back, the expectations shouldn’t have been high, but the circumstances dictated that they were.
He was finally a dynamic, left-footed option for a spot that was held captive by Luke Shaw’s unreliability.
As expected, Dorgu showed flashes of the player he could become, but in a team that was a constant mess, and his own struggles of settling into a new league after taking such a big jump, it wasn’t always smooth sailing.
By the end of the season, Dorgu was already a polarising figure among Man Utd fans, with some wanting to see him with a pre-season at Old Trafford, while others were not convinced by his long-term potential.
The former section must be giddy right now because Dorgu has started this season like a man on a mission.
After terrorising Leeds in a tepid game to kick off the pre-season, Dorgu built on that display with an even better one against West Ham.
Dorgu was everywhere, hustling back to end attacks from West Ham and then flying forward to use his physicality and fashion chances for his team.
The goal from Bowen came down his side, but it wasn’t his direct mistake since it was more of a systematic breakdown combined with Bowen’s brilliance.
Dorgu’s dynamism and ball-carrying skills reminded of Shaw at his best, and with Harry Amass heading out on loan and Diego Leon still getting to grips at the club, Dorgu is clearly relishing his status as the “senior first-choice” at left wing-back position.
Dorgu continues sparkling transfer record under Ineos
The difficulty in shifting players from Man Utd and the slow speed of buying new ones has led to some scrutiny falling in the way of Ineos.
However, the reality is that they arguably have a 100% hit rate on signings so far, with Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu, the two with an asterisk, continuing to improve.
Ayden Heaven is the blueprint, while the likes of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui have been good value for money.
Manuel Ugarte is coming into his own after struggling to start at the club, while the likes of Leny Yoro are already looking transformative.
The problematic players are those whose contracts are difficult to shift, a heritage of the Glazer rule, something which Ineos can’t be on the hook for.
With time, it increasingly looks like the mess inherited will be cleaned up, and Dorgu’s true breakout this season will be another feather in their cap.
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