1 goal, 13 duels, two tackles: irresistible United star continues to spearhead the Carrick revolution

Manchester United continued their incendiary turnaround in form with a memorable 3-2 win at league leaders Arsenal. Michael Carrick’s side overturned a 1-0 deficit and spent much of the second half nursing a 2-1 lead won through a remarkable Patrick Dorgu strike. Arsenal pulled back a late equaliser but the resilient Red Devils secured the points through a phenomenal Matheus Cunha goal. Dorgu does it best United had luck on their side for their equaliser, for which Bryan Mbeumo pounced on an Arsenal defensive error. But Dorgu’s goal was a moment of sheer class from the Dane. It was a wonderful goal, and shows Dorgu continuing to thrive in a more attacking role on the left wing. He scored one goal and had one shot off target against Arsenal. From that forward position, the 21-year-old was typically swashbuckling and oozing confidence – no player on the pitch attempted more duels than his 13. Dorgu won three of the nine ground duels he contested and remarkably was United’s best player in the air, where he won three of four contested duels. Left side on lock The Dane started directly ahead of Luke Shaw on the left flank, and contributed to a solid defensive showing in the face of the marauding Bukayo Saka. Dorgu made two clearances and won two tackles – only Shaw won more, although Dorgu was also dribbled past twice. Despite holding width on the pitch, the 21-year-old did not get a cross over and did not attempt any long balls. His passing was hit and miss, finding his man with 14 of 20 attempted passes for a completion rate of 70%. Patrick Dorgu vs. Arsenal PlayerPatrick Dorgu Goals1 Expected goals (xG)0.09 Assists0 Expected assists (xA)0 Key passes0 Crosses (accurate)0 (0) Accurate passes14/20 (70%) Passes in opposition half (acc.)6/11 (55%) Passes in own half (acc.)8/9 (89%) Total shots2 Expected goals on target (xGOT)0.07 Shots on target1 Shots blocked0 Touches34 Dribbles (successful)0 (0) Was fouled1 Possession lost8 Total carrying distance89 m Carries8 Progressive carries2 Total progression49.9 m Progressive carrying distance39.5 m Longest progressive carry27.7 m Def. contributions4 Tackles (won)2 (2) Interceptions0 Clearances2 Blocked shots0 Recoveries6 Ground duels (won)9 (3) Aerial duels (won)4 (3) Fouls2 Dribbled past2 Dorgu has now scored a wonderful goal in each of Carrick’s matches in interim charge of United, and will certainly be in the frame for the Fulham game next weekend. However, he was replaced after 81 minutes and left the pitch holding his hamstring – fans and head coach will be eagerly awaiting an injury update ahead of the game. Stats taken from sofascore. Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Joe Ponting Joe has spent more than half his life writing about football and all of it following United. As a child he told a doctor his name was ‘Paul Scholes’, but could never pick a pass like him no matter how much he tried. He cut his teeth working in print media for local newspapers and entered football journalism covering the grassroots game for the Non-League Paper. Here he achieved a career high, interviewing United legend Sir Bobby Charlton to get his views on the lower echelons of the football pyramid. To kill time during international breaks Joe writes album reviews and has strong views on post punk for Plus One Magazine.