Ruben Amorim has repeatedly stressed the importance of physicality to succeed in the Premier League, and against Arsenal, one player embodied that message.
Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal had everything going for them except the final score, a fact that will please Ruben Amorim.
The Man Utd manager congratulated his players on that performance, and the Old Trafford faithful rightly clapped off the players at full-time.
Matthijs de Ligt was excellent, while all three debutants impressed to varying degrees, but one player who personified Amorim’s instructions deserves his flowers.
Jurrien Timber of Arsenal is challenged by Manuel Ugarte and Patrick Dorgu of Manchester United
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Patrick Dorgu set the tone for Man Utd
Patrick Dorgu started at left wing-back up against one of the best right-wingers in the Premier League, in Bukayo Saka.
By the end of the game, Dorgu hadn’t just shackled Saka and locked him completely out of the game, but he did so while thriving in his attacking responsibilities.
Dorgu’s sterling pre-season had Man Utd fans hoping for a breakout, and a first game against title contenders was a baptism by fire.
After a game where he outran all of his teammates with an insane 10.9km effort (via Fotmob), there are no doubts over his breakout being a false dawn.
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Dorgu is reaching another level in front of the fans’ eyes, and his dynamism and physical tools are finally coming together to create a potentially world-class player.
Only Martin Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard outran him among all the players on the field, but Dorgu’s runs included more sprints than either of those two.
Among United players, Bruno Fernandes matched Dorgu’s efforts by running 10.9 km as well.
However, Dorgu was also United’s second fastest player on the pitch after Cunha and made more sprints than the Man Utd captain, indicating a player who is not just explosive, but consistently so.
Amorim demands intensity, and against Arsenal, Dorgu was intensity personified.
Dorgu will lead this stat regularly
It is fair to assume that due to the position in which he plays and his own playing style, Dorgu will be the player who covers the most distance in the majority of games.
His presence allows Luke Shaw to not overexert himself, bossing his personal duels at left centre-back, while Matheus Cunha’s defensive responsibilities are also lessened.
A dynamic Dorgu, who is also close to adding an end product to his game, transforms the whole left wing, and it was clear to see against Arsenal.
Now that he has come through that baptism of fire against Arsenal, he needs to keep that form up against Fulham.
Those are the kinds of games that will decide United’s finishing position in the league this season.