DORGU HAVING HIS DAY

How Patrick is proving Amorim wrong with his central role in United revolution

- BY STEVEN RAILSTON

IN November, Patrick Dorgu milled about Carrington's second floor to fulfil a sponsorship duty. He was yards away from the press conference room, blissfully unaware that his manager had just knifed him.

"You can feel the anxiety every time Patrick touches the ball. I can feel the anxiety," said then-United boss Ruben Amorim.

The bruising quote was splashed on back pages and spread like wildfire on social media.

Amorim had explained Manchester United were conceding too many goals because his players were "really soft."

That was the standout line of the press conference until an innocuous last question about Dorgu.

When Amorim was sacked at the beginning of the month, his ruthless comment about Dorgu was cited by United sources, who admitted that senior club figures had been unhappy with it.

Amorim’s forthright nature was brilliant for journalists, who were guaranteed a headline when he spoke, but less so for the people who mattered.

The 40-year-old had a sharp tongue and was not afraid to speak his mind, which eventually led to talking himself out of a job after a final bombshell at Elland Road.

Dorgu was still among the players who wished Amorim well after his sacking was confirmed.

"Thank you for everything, Mister. All the best in the future," he posted in an Instagram story.

The message spoke volumes about Dorgu's maturity - and there are further examples.

Last season, United were awarded a penalty against Real Sociedad in the Europa League, but Dorgu tried to overturn the decision himself with the referee while it was checked by VAR because he hadn't been fouled.

During the recent 2-2 draw against Burnley at Turf Moor, Dorgu just got on with it after being stamped on by Kyle Walker, when performing theatrics would have seen Walker sent off.