Gary Neville Left Speechless by Patrick Dorgu's Remarkable Revival
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has confessed to being utterly stunned by the dramatic transformation of Patrick Dorgu at Manchester United, following the Danish player's shift into a more advanced role on the pitch.
From 'Average' Wing-Back to Prolific Winger
Neville, speaking candidly on his podcast and during Sky Sports broadcasts, revealed his initial assessment of Dorgu under former manager Ruben Amorim. "Patrick Dorgu looked like such an average wing-back under Ruben Amorim," Neville stated bluntly. "Further forward he looks like a completely and utterly different player." This stark contrast in performance has become a central talking point around Old Trafford.
The 21-year-old was Amorim's inaugural signing, brought in from Italian club Lecce specifically to operate as a wing-back within a 3-4-3 system. However, his impact was limited during a challenging period for the club. The turning point arrived towards the end of Amorim's tenure when tactical adjustments saw Dorgu deployed further upfield as a winger.
Thriving Under Carrick's New System
This positional change has been fully embraced and optimised by interim head coach Michael Carrick. Carrick has implemented a more conventional formation that appears to suit the squad's strengths, with Dorgu emerging as a prime beneficiary. "The first time we saw a glimpse of what he could be was actually under Amorim when he played him as a wide right," Neville recalled. "I thought he could play a bit when he could play a bit higher up and had a player behind him."
Dorgu's newfound effectiveness was spectacularly demonstrated in consecutive Premier League fixtures. He scored in the crucial Manchester derby victory, then followed it up with a stunning volley in a significant win against Arsenal. "His goal was absolutely brilliant," praised Neville. "Patrick Dorgu typifies what has happened at Manchester United in this last week."
Catalyst for United's Resurgence
Neville elaborated on his changed perspective, noting Dorgu's underlying qualities were always present. "You can't really say anything bad about him because he's a willing runner, he always wanted the ball and worked hard," he said. The issue was one of role suitability. "But you thought, what is he? And how is he going to get Manchester United back to where they need to be? Looking at him now he's obviously a winger, he's obviously a winger."
This individual resurgence mirrors a broader uplift at the club. The recent victories, powered by contributions from players like Dorgu, have propelled United into the Premier League's top four, significantly boosting their Champions League qualification hopes. The impressive form has also intensified calls for Michael Carrick to be appointed as the permanent manager beyond the current season.
Dorgu's story has evolved from one of uncertain potential to a clear example of how a strategic positional shift can unlock a player's true capabilities, providing a major boost to Manchester United's ambitions during a pivotal phase of the campaign.
