Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United is showing signs of life this season after a tough start, which means the sole positive light last time they faced Everton should do even better this time.
Regardless of how good this season ends up becoming, the 2024/25 season should never be forgotten, because those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Along the journey to that 15th-placed finish was a game against Everton at Goodison Park, which was one of Man Utd’s poorest performances under Ruben Amorim.
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United somehow escaped with a 2-2 draw, but the performance was dire, and the Man Utd manager had only one positive to grasp onto. He’s ready to make an impact again.
Patrick Dorgu and Manuel Ugarte of Manchester United pictured talking to Match Referee, Andy Madley, over his decision to blow the whistle before Manchester United could take a corner following the Premier League match between Everton FC and Manchester United FC at Goodison Park on February 22, 2025
Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images
Man Utd’s shining light vs Everton was Patrick Dorgu
In the game in February last season, Amorim’s United looked a lot different, but Patrick Dorgu, fresh off signing in January, was an exciting unknown for Man Utd fans.
A trip to Goodison Park is one of the most daunting “Welcome to English football” challenges in the Premier League.
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While other United players wilted in the face of that challenge, the youngster who arrived from relegation-threatened Lecce less than a month ago faced it head-first.
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Dorgu shone in that game as his teammates were cowed by Everton’s physicality and intensity, always showing for the ball and making things happen.
Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte’s second-half goals salvaged a point for United, but this was the arrival party of Dorgu, who as raw as he was, had the potential and mentality to succeed at this club.
Now that Everton are coming to Old Trafford with United in much better shape, Dorgu will fancy his chances of going one better and winning this one, because his own form is brilliant.
Dorgu is in fine form for Everton’s visit
Fans had a lot of expectations from Dorgu coming into the season and he was exciting in pre-season, but somewhere along the way, he lost momentum.
Up until two games ago, Diogo Dalot had taken his place on the left, but Dorgu came roaring back.
Back-to-back good games against Spurs and Forest have made the left wing-back position his to lose, helped further by his brilliant performances for the Danish national side on the international break.
He has developed his game as well, adding a foul-winning ability to his game to go with contesting duels and pinning his opponent back with athleticism.
Add to that the team as a collective doing much better, and the stage is set for Dorgu to shine in a game that was his arrival party last season.