Patrick Dorgu: Who is United’s new defender?

Patrick Dorgu: Who is United’s new defender?

Manchester United’s new arrival Patrick Dorgu is a physical, hard-running defender who is comfortable playing across multiple positions.

Born in 2004 in the Husum neighbourhood of Copenhagen, Patrick joined the vaunted Nordsjaelland academy as a teenager.

He has two brothers, Gabriel and Ifenna, who play in Denmark and Italy respectively. Patrick was soon scouted by an Italian club himself, and Lecce moved him from their Under-19 side to the senior squad before the 2023/24 campaign.

He made his debut for the Giallorossi in a Coppa Italia clash with Como and soon became a regular for the Serie A side, making 34 appearances and scoring twice in his maiden season, as Lecce finished in a respectable 14th position.

Dorgu, who is left footed and stands over six-feet tall, was usually deployed as an overlapping left-back by head coach Roberto D’Aversa, but successors Luca Gotti and Marco Giampaolo opted to field him in more advanced positions, or cutting in from the right flank.

Before his move to England, Patrick had played five different roles for Lecce in 2024/25, scoring three goals in 21 appearances – with each of those strikes coming during the 10 games he occupied the right-wing berth.

Flattering comparisons have been made with Gareth Bale, who started life as a left-back before becoming one of his generation’s great attackers with Tottenham and then Real Madrid.

“He seems to have great adaptability,” Gotti said. “He enjoys playing on the pitch. Important people from the football world are starting to call me to ask me what I see…

“Bale became a forward. He could have played as a full-back. This could happen with Dorgu.”

His exploits in Italy caught the eye of the national side, who called the defender up for the first time in September 2024. Introduced as a substitute during a Nations League game against Switzerland, Dorgu scored with his first touch of the ball.

An energetic and powerful runner, Dorgu has won the second-most ground duels in Serie A and attempted the fourth most take-ons of any defender in the league before his move to United, which was confirmed on 2 February 2025.

He was unveiled to supporters, alongside fellow new arrival Ayden Heaven, ahead of the Premier League match against Crystal Palace, and has signed a contract keeping him at Old Trafford until June 2030, with the option of an additional year.

He’ll wear the no.13 shirt in Manchester and could be in line for a debut in Friday’s Emirates FA Cup tie with Leicester City, depending on how quickly he adapts to his new surroundings.

Patrick Dorgu | The signing interview Video

Patrick Dorgu | The signing interview

SIGNING INTERVIEW | Get to know Patrick Dorgu, our new signing from Lecce who is eager to make a big impression in red…

“I am incredibly proud to be able to call myself a Manchester United player; this is a very special day for my whole family,” he said.

“I cannot wait to work with Ruben Amorim; his vision for this team and the future of the club is incredibly exciting. There is a clear plan set out for my development, and I feel that Manchester United is the perfect place to fulfil my potential and complete my huge ambitions.”

WATCH DORGU’S FIRST INTERVIEW

Patrick has spoken for the first time as a Red!

MUTV subscribers can get exclusive access to the interview, before anyone else.

Watch it here to find out even more about our new man.

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