Patrick Dorgu shines as a forward: Amorim’s genius discovery?

In the 18th round of the 2025/26 Premier League, Man United overcame tough conditions to claim a 1-0 win against Newcastle. The sole goal for the Red Devils came from a brilliant effort by Patrick Dorgu, who was positioned as the right forward in this match.

Under Ruben Amorim’s leadership, Man United has been clearly identified with a three-defender formation, a system strongly influenced by Amorim’s personal style and sometimes regarded as somewhat extreme. The Portuguese coach has repeatedly emphasized that he does not intend to change his philosophy, even though MU often struggles without players suited to this lineup.

However, amid the absence of several key Red Devils players due to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN Cup 2025), Amorim has recently hinted at more tactical flexibility. What happened in the 18th round of the 2025/26 Premier League appears to be the clearest evidence of this shift.

In the clash against Newcastle, Ruben Amorim switched to a four-defender system for the first time since taking charge at Old Trafford. Beyond just changing the formation, he surprised many by deploying Patrick Dorgu, a left-back, as the right winger. This was a highly risky move, especially considering Dorgu is only 21 and lacks extensive experience in purely attacking roles in the Premier League. Yet, this boldness became the most notable tactical highlight of the match.

Patrick Dorgu did not disappoint the 40-year-old coach. In a tightly contested game, with MU struggling against Newcastle’s well-organized defense, the Danish player suddenly shone with a powerful volley, scoring the decisive goal that sealed the win for the Red Devils. This was not only a moment of individual brilliance but also a deserved reward for Amorim’s trust in what seemed an unconventional choice.

Looking at the post-match statistics, Dorgu’s performance becomes even more impressive. Playing the full 90 minutes, he scored 1 goal from 2 shots, both on target, achieving 100% accuracy. Beyond scoring, the 21-year-old actively contributed to the overall play with 57 touches, completing 16 out of 23 passes (70%) and creating one chance for a teammate.

Notably, Dorgu’s impact extended beyond attack. He also made significant defensive contributions with 10 successful defensive actions, including 2 tackles, 2 interceptions, 5 clearances (all headers), and 4 recoveries. He was never dribbled past and won 6 out of 8 ground duels.

Overall, these stats earned Patrick Dorgu a rating of 8.2 on FotMob, making him one of the best players of the match. More importantly, this display showed he is not just a temporary fix but a versatile tactical asset for Ruben Amorim during this period of squad instability.

The journey to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League remains challenging for Man United, especially as competition in the Premier League intensifies. However, at least the victory over Newcastle has given Red Devils fans a glimmer of hope. With Amorim becoming less rigid in his tactical approach and players like Patrick Dorgu ready to make an impact, MU can believe they still have a chance to turn the 2025/26 season around.