Patrick Dorgu hits back at Ruben Amorim's 'anxiety' criticism: 'It was wrong'

Key facts

• Patrick Dorgu joined Manchester United for £25m from Lecce in January 2025.
• Ruben Amorim criticised Dorgu after a 1-0 defeat to Everton in November, saying 'You can feel the anxiety every time Patrick touches the ball.'
• Dorgu admitted the comment 'hit me' and said it was 'wrong' and poorly timed.
• United have won nine of 13 games under interim manager Michael Carrick.
• Dorgu scored in shock victories over Manchester City and Arsenal before a hamstring injury.
• Dorgu returned to the bench for the Brentford win and hopes to play a significant role in the run-in.

A public rebuke that stung

Patrick Dorgu has broken his silence on the criticism that defined his early months at Manchester United, insisting that former manager Ruben Amorim's choice of words was 'wrong' and that the public rebuke 'hit me'. The Denmark international, signed for £25m from Lecce in January 2025 as Amorim's first acquisition, was singled out after a 1-0 defeat to Everton last November. 'You can feel the anxiety every time Patrick touches the ball,' Amorim said at the time. 'I can feel the anxiety.' Dorgu, in an interview with The Telegraph, acknowledged the sting of that remark. 'It hit me a little bit when Amorim says that because when the coach speaks bad about you, it is always going to affect you a little bit,' he said. 'I just took it in the best possible way and tried to improve my game.' The 20-year-old's response offers a rare glimpse into the psychological toll of public criticism at a club in turmoil.

A question of timing and confidence

Dorgu questioned both the timing and the accuracy of Amorim's assessment. 'I don't think that was the word he was looking for,' he said. 'Anxious? I don't think it was that. I just think I didn't have any confidence and the team was not in a good moment at that time.' He pointed to his performances for Denmark as evidence of his true capabilities. 'I think he said it at the wrong time because I played well in the national team. I don't see how I can play well in one and play bad in the other, and all of a sudden I am anxious.' His remarks underscore a broader pattern at United, where a succession of players have struggled to replicate international form under the intense scrutiny of Old Trafford. For Dorgu, the criticism came during a period when the entire squad was underperforming, with Amorim's 14-month tenure marked by poor results and mounting pressure.

A turnaround under Carrick

Since Amorim's departure, Dorgu's fortunes have shifted dramatically under interim manager Michael Carrick. United have won nine of their 13 games under Carrick, who has all but secured Champions League football for next season and is putting real pressure on Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS to hand him the permanent job. Dorgu was an early hero of Carrick's caretaker reign, scoring in shock victories over Manchester City and Arsenal before a hamstring injury sidelined him. 'Even before [Amorim] got sacked in the last couple of games, I started to get into a rhythm as people [team-mates] started going to Afcon,' Dorgu said. 'I had a good moment. I just had to take that confidence into [the regimes of Darren] Fletcher and Carrick. I just tried to play with a bit more confidence and express myself.' The Denmark international returned to the bench for the recent win over Brentford and is expected to play a significant part in the season's remaining fixtures.

The £25m investment finding form

Dorgu's emergence as a key contributor represents a vindication of the club's investment, which at £25m made him a significant outlay for a player then unproven at the highest level. His early struggles mirrored those of many United signings in recent years, but his response to adversity has impressed the coaching staff. The shift in his performance level coincides with a broader upturn in the team's fortunes under Carrick, who has restored a sense of stability after Amorim's turbulent spell. With Champions League qualification within reach, Dorgu's return to fitness adds depth to a squad that will face a demanding schedule. His ability to produce in big moments — as he did against City and Arsenal — suggests a temperament suited to the pressures of Old Trafford, despite the earlier doubts raised by his former manager.

A wider context: United's managerial merry-go-round

Dorgu's experience is emblematic of the instability that has plagued Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement. The club has cycled through managers, each with different philosophies, leaving players to adapt to constant change. Amorim's 14-month reign was particularly harrowing, with the team languishing in mid-table and morale at a low ebb. His public criticism of Dorgu was seen by some as a deflection from his own tactical shortcomings. Carrick, a former United midfielder, has brought a calmer approach and a clearer identity. The team's improved results have fueled speculation that he could be appointed permanently, though no decision has been announced. For Dorgu, the change has been transformative. 'I just tried to play with a bit more confidence and express myself,' he said, a simple formula that has yielded dramatic results.

What lies ahead for Dorgu and United

With United pushing for a Champions League place, Dorgu's role in the run-in could be pivotal. His hamstring injury appears behind him, and his ability to influence games from the wing or as a forward gives Carrick tactical flexibility. The club's hierarchy, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, will be watching closely as they weigh up whether to make Carrick's appointment permanent. For Dorgu, the episode with Amorim is now firmly in the past. 'I don't see how I can play well in one and play bad in the other, and all of a sudden I am anxious,' he said, a line that captures both his defiance and his belief in his own ability. The £25m signing is finally showing why United invested in him — and proving that his former manager's words were misplaced.

The bottom line

• Patrick Dorgu publicly rejected Ruben Amorim's 'anxiety' criticism, calling it wrong and poorly timed.
• Dorgu has flourished under interim manager Michael Carrick, scoring in wins over Manchester City and Arsenal.
• United have won nine of 13 games under Carrick, who is pushing for the permanent job.
• Dorgu's £25m transfer from Lecce in January 2025 is beginning to pay dividends.
• The player's response highlights the psychological impact of public criticism in high-pressure environments.
• Dorgu's return from a hamstring injury strengthens United's push for Champions League qualification.