Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has made a startling admission about his feelings towards defender Patrick Dorgu, confessing he experiences palpable anxiety whenever the Danish player touches the ball during matches.
Amorim's Candid Assessment
The Portuguese coach offered this brutally honest verdict on the £25 million January signing from Italian side Lecce, who has experienced a rollercoaster first year at Old Trafford. While Dorgu showed early promise after his transfer, his form has been inconsistent, creating concern for his manager.
Amorim revealed the stark contrast between Dorgu's training performances and his actual match displays, telling reporters: "What I feel when I see them training, they are doing so much better than in games." He particularly noted the difference when comparing Dorgu's performances for United versus his national team displays.
International Form Versus Club Struggles
The United boss pointed to Dorgu's impressive goal for Denmark against Scotland as evidence of his true capability. "When I see him playing for the national team, he's scored a great goal against Scotland," Amorim said. "The decision that he made under pressure was different to the decision that he's making in our team."
This contrast has prompted Amorim to seek solutions to help the 20-year-old defender unlock his potential at club level. "So I just need to understand the context in trying to help them," he explained. "I think they are far from the best, and they know it. Like a lot of players in our team, like myself. I think they have so much more to give."
The Anxiety Problem
Amorim's most revealing comments came when he described the tangible nervousness he senses from Dorgu during matches. "He needs to be calmer playing the game," the manager stated. "You can feel the anxiety every time Patrick touched the ball — I can feel it, the anxiety."
He recalled a specific moment that highlighted this issue: "And I remember the shot [missed] against Everton. That was easier than the decision that he had to make when the guys from Scotland were there, when he made a great decision."
Despite these challenges, Amorim acknowledged that Dorgu has shown his quality previously, both internationally and during his time in Italy. However, he recognised that the pressure of playing for Manchester United presents unique challenges for young players.
Dorgu now faces a crucial period in his United career, having made 32 appearances across all competitions since his arrival. His next opportunity comes against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, where he'll be aiming to demonstrate the composure his manager wants to see.
The defender must also exercise caution during the match, as he's one yellow card away from a Premier League suspension. A booking against Palace would see him miss United's subsequent trip to face West Ham United.
Off-field matters have also created potential complications, with Dorgu's Instagram account appearing to like a post critical of Amorim's team selection, specifically regarding playing Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro together.
