Manchester United are gearing up for the biggest game of their season against Real Sociedad with the tie finely poised at 1-1 after the first leg.
It was not without controversy with the Spanish side’s goal coming from a dubious spot-kick decision with VAR and referee’s not really favouring the Red Devils in recent times.
It was also seen in the Premier League when Patrick Dorgu saw red after VAR intervention from a foul. And the Dane was asked about the incident during the pre-match press conference.
The direct red has meant he has missed two domestic games so far with the third coming up next weekend. However, he has been available to play in the Europa League, which has been a boost for Ruben Amorim given the injury woes.
On red card
“It was obviously not nice to get the red card, but it is part of football and I just need to learn from this and improve my game,” was how the 20-year-old looked at the incident.
He also added during the pre-match press conference that he is slowly gelling with his teammates and has started to adapt to life in Manchester. “I’ve settled well in Manchester and the training sessions are really good and I’m getting used to the team.”
Despite the setback, the former Lecce star has impressed since his January move to the club, and has been an instant improvement on what both Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui were offering out wide.
He has the experience of playing as a wingback during his time in Lecce and he explained that Amorim’s attacking style of play and use of wingbacks attracted him to the United project as he likes to bomb forward to score goals.
On Amorim
“I saw what Ruben did at Sporting and I could see the ideas he had. It is a very attacking system, I want to get into the box and score goals. I also like to defend.”
He has already played on both flanks, with versatility a huge draw for Amorim. And Dorgu said that he can play on both flanks as he had done numerous times during his time in Serie A and has no preference as such.
“I don’t have a preference. It is the boss who takes the decisions. I’m comfortable playing on either side.”
There have been times in games where Rasmus Hojlund has not anticipated the early cross while Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee have overlooked his runs.
On training
The wingback explained how Amorim has been talking to him in training to try and help him understand his teammates so that they can build up the connection needed to build attacks in game.
“He talks about the connection with the other players, especially the midfielders and the two No 10s and about making deep runs and on my movement.”
Hopefully, the Danish star and his teammates can come up with the goods against the Basque team as United seek to progress deeper into the competition, which is not only their only shot at silverware but their last chance at an unlikely Champions League qualification for next season.
Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
