Manchester United have streamlined their squad over the summer. The Red Devils roped in former Sporting manager Ruben Amorim to replace Erik ten Hag last November.
After a disappointing season where his team finished 15th in the Premier League table, Amorim was keen to look for solutions in the transfer market.
The Portuguese head coach had identified the attack as the area that required urgent attention before the start of the new campaign. United invested heavily on Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko, and the latter’s arrival signaled the end of Rasmus Hojlund’s stay at Old Trafford.
The Danish striker ultimately left to join Napoli on a season-long loan this summer. The Serie A champions apparently have an obligation to make the deal permanent next year for £38m should they qualify for the Champions League.
Patrick Dorgu shocked by Hojlund’s exit
United had a healthy Danish representation in the squad at the start of the year, following Patrick Dorgu’s arrival from Lecce. However, the contingent has been drastically reduced over the summer, with Christian Eriksen also leaving as a free agent.
Speaking to Ekstra Bladet, as cited by Sport Witness, Dorgu said that he was surprised at Hojlund’s departure.
“That’s how it is in football. You never know when it’s your turn to move on. We knew it would happen to Christian, but it was perhaps a bigger shock that Rasmus had to move on,” said Dorgu.
“I talked to him a lot during the process and could sense which way it was going. Hopefully, we will now see each other every time on the national team.”
Hojlund joined the Red Devils from Atalanta in the summer of 2023 in a reported £72m fee. The 22 year old scored 26 goals in 95 outings for the Premier League giants in his two-season stay.
Dorgu unworried about lack of Danish presence
While he enjoyed having Eriksen and Hojlund around, Dorgu has added that he doesn’t feel isolated by their departure.
“I travelled alone to Italy when I was 17. I am also alone in Manchester and I am fine that way. You become incredibly strong mentally when you travel alone so early, because you have to make a lot of decisions. I am sure that mental strength has also helped me on the pitch,” said Dorgu.
Dorgu is not the only Dane in United’s squad though. The Red Devils also have Chido Obi, but the 17 year old has featured entirely for the youth team so far this season.
Featured image Michael Steele via Getty Images
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Deepungsu Pandit
Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.
