Patrick Dorgu wins Premier League award

Patrick Dorgu hasn’t exactly had a clear run of minutes lately, after falling down the pecking order from being the first-choice left-wing-back after arriving from Lecce.

In recent months, Ruben Amorim has been favouring Diogo Dalot on the left and Amad Diallo as first-choice on the right.

As such, Dorgu has had to settle for cameos, rotation duty, and the odd chance to impress when the schedule gets messy.

It’s not easy to build rhythm in that kind of role, especially in a system where the dynamic wing-backs are your entire width and half your chance creation.

But Boxing Day felt like the perfect reminder that he’s still a serious option.

Manchester United beat Newcastle United 1-0 at Old Trafford, in a game that demanded patience and concentration as much as it demanded quality.

Newcastle had plenty of moments, including a second-half effort that crashed back off the woodwork, and United had to defend their box properly when the pressure ramped up.

However, he difference came from Dorgu.

With the game still tight in the first half, Dalot launched one of his long throws into the danger area.

Newcastle only half-cleared, and Dorgu attacked the loose ball with real conviction, smashing a left-foot volley past Aaron Ramsdale to put United ahead in the 24th minute.

It was the kind of finish you don’t get from someone low on confidence.

And it also speaks to why the timing matters.

AFCON has created an opening in the wing-back pecking order, with Diallo away with Ivory Coast.

That shift has seen Dalot move across to the right, and it has effectively dragged Dorgu back into the starting squad, an opportunity the Denmark international has grabbed with both hands.

Now, the Premier League have put a stamp on that performance too, naming Patrick Dorgu the Premier League Player of the Week after his winner against Newcastle.

For United, it’s more than just an award.

It’s a reminder that the starting line-up don’t have to be locked in and held by the Amorim’s favourites, and that if Dorgu keeps delivering moments like this, Amorim’s preferred startes might have a real selection headache waiting for them when everyone’s back.