Man United defender Patrick Dorgu started twice for Denmark during the November international break.
Dorgu scored for Denmark against Scotland. (Image: AFP or licensors)
Patrick Dorgu outlined his grand ambitions for the season when he spoke to Manchester-based correspondents in August, revealing he wanted to win the Premier League and play for Denmark at the 2026 World Cup. The reality is United are a world away from winning the title, but the club staff member who sat in on the interview felt that specific quote reflected Dorgu’s ambition and determination.
Unfortunately for Dorgu, his ambition to play at the World Cup next summer may not be realised because Denmark were defeated 4-2 by Scotland at Hampden Park on Tuesday night. If Denmark are to book their place at the tournament they will have to qualify via the play-offs. They played at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, and Dorgu will be hoping to help his nation reach a third successive tournament.
Dorgu was on the losing side in Scotland, but he notched his third international goal for Denmark when he made it 2-2 with 10 minutes remaining. It was a decent finish in the box, which should give him some much-needed confidence ahead of the return of the Premier League this weekend.
The defender started in United’s opening two games of the Premier League season, however, he was dropped to the bench against Burnley before starting the next three games. Ruben Amorim dropped Dorgu again in a recent run of matches against Sunderland, Liverpool, Brighton and Nottingham Forest, preferring Diogo Dalot to start at left wing-back. Dalot struggled at the City Ground and Dorgu was recalled to face Tottenham before the international break.
When fans have watched Dorgu this season, they have wanted Dalot to start at left wing-back. When Dalot has come into the team, they have wanted Dorgu to return to the side. The biggest criticism of Dorgu is his lack of end product. The 21-year-old often finds himself in promising positions down the left wing, but his crosses into the box leave a lot to be desired.
Dorgu has recorded just a single assist this season, which isn’t good enough considering the areas he roams into. The ball must have fallen to him in promising positions half a dozen times during the Manchester derby in September, and he wasn’t able to carve out a goalscoring opportunity for a teammate.
Although Dorgu was naturally disappointed after Denmark’s defeat to Scotland, it was at least a reminder that he can provide value in the final third after an unconvincing spell in a United shirt. Dorgu is likely to start when United welcome Everton to Old Trafford on Monday night. Dalot needs to be taken out of the firing line, but he could be quickly recalled if Dorgu doesn’t perform.
There has been no perfect option for Amorim on the left side of the team, but Dorgu now has an opportunity to kick on following his goal for Denmark during the international break.
While the Danish press were complimentary of Dorgu’s goal against Scotland, they picked up on what every United fan has been saying: his crosses into the box weren’t good enough.
That is the area of Dorgu’s game that must improve if he wants to establish himself as a consistent starter. Amorim’s system relies on the wing-backs contributing in the final third.
It must be factored in that Dorgu only arrived at Old Trafford from Lecce a little over nine months ago, but a new signing in his position may be considered if he doesn’t start to perform.
The good news is that Dorgu seems like a confidence player, someone who will perform better after scoring a goal. During his interview at Carrington in August, he admitted he took a shot from distance on the opening day of the season against Arsenal purely because his confidence levels had increased.
Dorgu looked sharp throughout pre-season in the United States and approached the campaign full of confidence, but he hasn’t played like someone brimming with self-belief in recent weeks.
Perhaps regaining that confidence will be the key to Dorgu improving when domestic football returns.