Summary
Patrick Dorgu's performance during Denmark 5-0 Lithuania has drawn plenty of praise.
The left-back was initially criticised during his early days at Manchester United.
Dorgu shows great potential, now earning praise and comparisons to top left-backs for his quality.
If Manchester United are serious about clawing their way out of the hole they've dug, they need to navigate the transfer market with greater intent - and, crucially, start getting the most out of the players they do sign. That certainly applies to Patrick Dorgu, who showed flashes of brilliance but ultimately looked like a deer in the headlights during much of his early Old Trafford days.
The 20-year-old’s Premier League debut was a nightmare as he was sent off in the first half against Ipswich Town after arriving from Lecce for £25 million in January. A string of flat performances followed, capped by fierce criticism after a poor showing in April’s Manchester Derby. For many supporters, he became another symbol of United’s scattergun recruitment, with the club seemingly rolling the dice rather than stewing over their decisions to build a successful team.
At the time, he was viewed as just another swing and a miss. Now a regular on the left of a midfield four, however, Dorgu has been growing in confidence and composure - finally resembling the player United thought they were signing. His recent display in Denmark’s 5-0 dismantling of Lithuania only fanned the flames of his redemption arc, as those early takes from supporters are now ageing like milk in the midday sun.
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How Patrick Dorgu Performed During Denmark 5-0 Lithuania
The 20-year-old continues to improve every facet of his game
Patrick Dorgu
Denmark swept through their opponents with worrying ease on Tuesday night, as Brian Reimer's side fired 30 shots on goal in a performance where the attacking players rightly earned most of the plaudits. However, while it’s easy to overlook those holding things down at the other end of the pitch, Dorgu managed to stamp his authority on the game.
Playing the full 90 minutes, the left-back won seven of his 10 ground duels, one of his three aerial duels, completed 46 of his 50 pass attempts, made three key passes, and created two big chances for his teammates. It was an industrious display from a player who’s always earned an A* for effort, but who - until very recently - struggled to consistently pair that energy with execution. See his full match statistics below:
dorgu (1)
Perhaps the greatest hallmark of the footballers who thrived during Sir Alex Ferguson's glory years was the pride they played with - for both the club and themselves. The mentality in some of United’s greatest dressing rooms was almost mythical, but post-Fergie squads have often lacked the same blood, sweat, and tears shown by those who came before them.
In Dorgu, however, United appear to have found a player with those very qualities. An influence on every phase of play for both club and country as he flies up and down the left flank, the youngster is now making great strides in his skill development, and increasingly looks like the Luke Shaw successor Old Trafford’s decision-makers had been hoping for.
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How The Danish Press Reacted To Dorgu's Performance
Man United supporters have also had a lot to say
Patrick Dorgu in action for Manchester United
Danish outlet Bold.dk gave Dorgu a 7/10 for his performance, as they wrote: “He really got his offensive strengths going with sharp runs up the sideline that caused the visitors problems on several occasions.
“The United full-back was also the architect behind the 4-0 goal with his change of pace and cross, and he generally delivered a strong effort.”
Those in Scandinavia have always had a little more faith in their young talents though, and that's why the big win in Dorgu's eyes will have been the praise he has received from his club's supporters in recent weeks, with his nigh-on flawless display against Lithuania helping him to turn a major corner in his United future.
"Patrick Dorgu is going to be an immense player for our football club," one X user said, while a second added: "Dorgu is still only 20 - he’s got the technical and physical attributes to succeed long term. Thrown into an unstable squad mid-season, and yet I’ve already seen far too many United fans writing him off. Yes, he’s raw and inconsistent - but his ceiling is very high." Meanwhile, a third remarked:
"Patrick Dorgu is going to be awesome by the way. He keeps showing it - did again tonight, but critics don't want to give him patience to grow & develop that consistency. He's 20 & has 77 senior games under his belt. Some of the takes about him this year are going to age horribly & I'm going to enjoy every minute of it."
The sudden shift in perspective of Dorgu is best shown by the fact that another X user even went as far as to compare him to Champions League and Nations League winner Nuno Mendes, who is among the best left-backs in world football right now. A fourth X user concluded: "I genuinely believe Patrick Dorgu will be our Nuno Mendes in a couple of seasons."
"We all know how Ruben Amorim develops his wingbacks - give Dorgu time, training, and a system that lets him thrive, and he’ll become one of the best in his position."
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore (correct as of 11/06/2025)