Patrick Dorgu has shared his thoughts on playing as a right winger for Manchester United, describing it as “easy.”
In an unexpected move, Dorgu was positioned on the right wing during the team’s 1-0 victory over Newcastle, where he scored the crucial goal. This decision came as head coach Amorim opted for a back four due to the absence of seven key players, including star midfielder Bruno Fernandes.
The 21-year-old showcased his skills with a dynamic performance, eventually transitioning into a more conventional wing-back role as United aimed for only their second clean sheet of the season.
“I’ve played in that position with my previous team, so it’s quite familiar to me,” Dorgu noted regarding his advanced wide position. “I’m just glad I managed to score.”
“I was aware of the starting position for a few days prior, so I focused on remembering how to play there. It’s quite similar to being a wing-back; you just come inside onto your stronger foot, making it easier to attack and link up with teammates,” he explained.
When asked if this marked his best performance in a United shirt, Dorgu affirmed: “Absolutely, I’m really pleased with the goal and securing three points today.”
“It wasn’t a typical strike for me in training, but I’ve focused on improving my shooting in matches, and I think I executed it well. I’m thrilled it found the back of the net,” he added.
The win against Newcastle marked Manchester United’s first home victory in two months, with the team now preparing to face bottom-placed Wolves on Tuesday. Dorgu mentioned, “We must win the next match to boost our confidence. You could see how much the victory meant to everyone.”
Dorgu believes he has taken Ruben Amorim’s comments about his confidence to heart, realizing that he needed to “look within” to transform himself into a game-changing player for Manchester United in recent weeks.
Since joining from Lecce in February for a fee that could rise to 35 million euros (£29.3 million), Dorgu’s form has been inconsistent.
Managing the unique pressures of playing for United, Amorim noted that Dorgu’s decision-making has been affected, as he sensed “anxiety” with each touch of the ball from the young star.
Amorim’s earlier comments spurred a positive reaction from Dorgu, who made headlines with a stunning volley that clinched the tough 1-0 Boxing Day win over Newcastle at Old Trafford.
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“The manager’s remarks about my confidence resonated with me a few weeks back, so I took a step back and tried to grasp his meaning,” Dorgu explained. “I’ve also received support from teammates like Bruno [Fernandes] and other leaders, who help me build my confidence during training.”
When asked about Amorim’s public comments, Dorgu said, “It’s never pleasant to receive criticism, but it’s part of being a player. You need to respond positively, and I think I have in the last few matches. With players absent due to the AFCON and injuries, this is my opportunity to prove I belong in the team, and I feel like I’ve been doing that lately. I just need to keep going and ensure the manager is satisfied.”
PA Media contributed to this report.