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Manchester United reached the Europa League final with a 4-1 win over Athletic Club | Getty Images
Several Man Utd players are out on international duty with two combining to fire their country to the top of World Cup qualification.
Signed for around £25m from Lecce, the 20-year old has surprised more than a few with how quickly he has settled into life at Old Trafford and made the left wing-back position his own. In the process, Dorgu has also made the transition into international football with Denmark and has been in action against Greece in a pivotal World Cup qualifying game. In what could be a tight group, the Danes drew with Scotland in their opening fixture at home which leaves them little room for manoeuvre.
Man Utd pair impress on international duty for Denmark
It has been a different story for Rasmus Hojlund though who, despite being the prototypical modern footballer in terms of physique, athleticism and attitude, has failed to make the sort of impact at Manchester United that was hoped for. Whether it was through a lack of good quality chances being created by teammates or from not getting into the right positions to score goals, the 22-year old just didn’t post the sort of numbers needed to be a success at Old Trafford.
A loan move to Napoli where there is a £38m obligation to buy clause if the Serie A champions qualify for the Champions League and the powerhouse striker plays a certain number of games will give him a new lease of life, even if he has to play second fiddle for much of the campaign as Romelu Lukaku continues to defy his critics. With nearly a goal every three games for Denmark, Hojlund’s return is much more impressive, but how did he perform against Greece in a pivotal World Cup qualifier?
The United duo (Hojlund is still technically a United player after all) started on the bench in Piraeus but combined to good effect when they were both introduced just after the hour mark. With the score finely poised at 2-0 and the Greeks pushing to find a way back into the game Dorgu, who was playing on the right wing, was released with a through ball which Kasper Schmeichel made a mess of trying to deal with in the Denmark goal.
Shooting from long range and from almost on the touchline, Dorgu was unlucky not to score himself before his effort hit the post, however, it fell kindly to the on-rushing Hojlund who had the simplest of chances to make it 3-0 with 10 minutes to go and secure all three points. Not only did the goal put the game to bed as a contest, but it also meant that the Danes went above Scotland on goal difference at the top of the group. The highlights for the game area available here on UEFA’s official website.
What has Denmark’s manager said about Patrick Dorgu?
Denmark manager Brian Riemer wasn’t always convinced about Dorgu’s ability to adapt and play in a back four, however, watching the 20-year old for United has convinced him otherwise as told to Tipsbladet: “He has really convinced me,” Riemer explained when discussing his decision to select Dorgu as part of the 23-man Danish squad. I dare to tell you now that I was a little doubtful in Lecce, because when I watched the games, he was more of a winger than a back, and his defensive skills were… debatable. But I have seen him many times now, and I am actually quite impressed with what he has achieved defensively.
“Defensively, my doubts were there, and he has convinced me there. He has done it strongly. There are still small things that can be done better, but even in the best league in the world, he has delivered. I think he has proven that for Manchester United. I know that they play with a wingback, but many times he has ended up as a back, and that is why I have had him under the microscope and looked at how he defends. The situations I have analysed have convinced me that he can do both.”
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