Denmark’s ever-flourishing pool of talent is an area that Manchester United – as evidenced by their additions of Christian Eriksen, Rasmus Hojlund, Patrick Dorgu and Chido Obi – have dipped their toes into over the last couple of years.
They all have varying experience on the international stage – but Copenhagen-born Dorgu, who accrued just his sixth appearance for Kasper Hjulmand’s side against Portugal on Sunday evening, has the tongues of the Old Trafford faithful wagging.
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Hojlund’s strike in the first leg saw the Danes head to Portugal with a one-goal advantage but, in the end, they lost the two-legged affair 5-3 on aggregate and were knocked out of the Nations League at the quarter-final stage.
Misery for the Red and Whites, of course, but Manchester United fans are far more concerned over how Dorgu, who arrived on English shores for £25 million in the winter of 2025, performed against the right-hand side of Diogo Dalot and Francisco Conceicao.
Patrick Dorgu's Senior International Career
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A Closer Look at Patrick Dorgu’s Display vs Portugal
He completed a match-high two dribbles & won the most duels
Behind Everton’s Jesper Lindstrom and alongside Leicester City centre-back Jannik Vesteraard, Dorgu was tasked with a) keeping Conceicao under wraps but also b) giving Dalot a torrid time by running in behind and attempting to create space.
For the national team, there’s a much more measured approach to defending given Hjulmand and his entourage play with a four-man defence – but that’s not to say the youngster struggled. In fact, the statistics highlight that he thrived.
For tactical reasons, Dorgu was replaced by Sporting CP centre-forward Conrad Harder seven minutes into extra-time but ensured to put in a mammoth shift before being hooked, which is something Manchester United fans have become accustomed to.
It was all-action from Dorgu’s perspective. From notching an assist for his clubmate Eriksen to being a menace defensively – the ex-Lecce man was up and down the left flank as if it was going out of fashion and that’s evidenced by his numbers.
Across his 97-minute cameo at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, 25/31 (80.6%) of his passes were accurate, while he also notched two key passes – one of which, as mentioned, resulted in a goal – for his country, thus proving his ability to be a chance creator.
Defensively robust, too, the Dane won 10 of his 18 duels (55.6%) on the left flank, all while completing five clearances and four ball recoveries. Alongside that, he amassed three interceptions and tackles apiece in a solid, all-round performance.
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Watch Dorgu's highlights vs Portgual below:
Man Utd Fans Wax Poetic about Dorgu's Brilliance
‘We’ve bagged a generational player in Patrick Dorgu’
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With Luke Shaw perennially injured and Tyrell Malacia spending time out on loan, Manchester United have often relied on Dorgu’s availability at left wing back – barring his red card suspension – since his arrival from Serie A side Lecce.
A mere show of desire and effort has endeared the 20-year-old to the Old Trafford faithful – and although he’s chalked up just 448 minutes of action, it’s assured to say that he’s nailed down that spot at his for the foreseeable future.
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Reacting to his performance against Portugal, despite the loss, fans were pleased. Taking things to the extreme, one member of Manchester United’s fanbase even wrote: “Can’t even lie, we’ve bagged a generational player in Patrick Dorgu.” Another said:
"The thing that really screams out when you watch him is physicality. Not the type of player to get bullied or not put 100% in. Ability wise we’ll find out more as the season goes on, but he does look good."
Another implored the fanbase to let him enjoy his bedding-in period in England’s top flight in order to allow his talent to shine through. “He’ll have his ups and downs, but we should all have patience, he’s hugely talented. Hope he can fulfil his potential.”
Alongside the imperious Ayden Heaven, Dorgu is just one of two Ruben Amorim-inspired signings so far – and one fan, as a result, has suggested that his performances are a 'great glimpse' of what the Portuguese tactician can achieve at Old Trafford.
"He definitely brings a new dynamic to the team when he plays. And is a great glimpse of how things can be.
It’s not unfair to say that Manchester United’s recruitment in years gone by has been substandard, but one fan suggested that additions like Dorgu, albeit risky, are worth trying. “Irrespective if he succeeds or not, he has the potential to be a great player. Not all kids fulfil their potential, but these are the kind of bets we need to continue to make.
All statistics per Sofascore – correct as of 24/03/2025