Simon Fearn-Imagn Images

Manchester United ace called out for Brighton gaffe; mistake under the scanner

Originally posted on We All Follow United
By Rohit Sarkar | Last updated Oct 28, 2025 2:24 AM ET

Manchester United star Patrick Dorgu draws heavy criticism for Brighton outing

Momentum feels fragile at Manchester United these days. The team keeps piecing together results that once seemed out of reach, but moments of unease still appear. The 4–2 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford showed how fine the margins remain for Ruben Amorim’s men.

For the first time since February 2024, United recorded three consecutive Premier League wins. They had already beaten Sunderland and Liverpool before facing Brighton. The performance promised stability, but small lapses showed how quickly they could lose control.

United started brightly, as they pressed with confidence and purpose. Matheus Cunha opened the scoring early, and Casemiro added calm with a strong header. Bryan Mbeumo made it three before the hour mark. The game seemed done until a late shift in momentum unsettled the side.

Substitute Patrick Dorgu came on to protect the left flank, but caused problems instead. He fouled Yankuba Minteh, giving Brighton a free-kick that Danny Welbeck buried brilliantly. In stoppage time, Charalampos Kostoulas pulled another back and cut United’s lead to one. Mbeumo scored again in the 96th minute and ended the tension. The win looked far simpler on paper than it really was.

The Sun’s correspondent, Samuel Luckhurst, did not hold back. He called Dorgu’s cameo poor and said the foul made an already clumsy moment worse. The young full-back is still learning the pace of English football and showed nerves after that mistake. Earlier this year, Carlton Palmer sharply criticised Dorgu.

Dorgu must balance aggression with composure

There is no doubt about the talent of Patrick Dorgu, but he has often displayed his inexperience with his decision-making. That was on display against Brighton, when he rushed down to close the space without reading the movement and that exposed one of his weaknesses. The 21-year-old made the tackle on Minteh, which summed up his “see ball, tackle ball” approach.

It will be a deciding factor for his going into the upcoming matches, as experienced teams will punish Dorgu and United for his impatience. The Denmark international should work on this, read the movement earlier, and be smart with his reaction. Dorgu has to hold his position better and also stay half a step deeper to defend this types of situations more effectively.

He also needs greater control. Every defender must know how to use a tactical foul wisely to stop play safely, and Dorgu must learn that balance. His attacking play shows energy but lacks precision in the final ball. Moreover, Dorgu’s crosses often fail to find a teammate.

United insiders once revealed how the club stole Dorgu from under Napoli’s noses. They saw him as a long-term left-back for the future. The club still believes in him, but he must justify that faith. Dorgu has the drive and enthusiasm in him, but he now needs the composure. Mistakes like the one against Brighton should teach him lessons, not shape his reputation.

This article first appeared on We All Follow United and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: