Patrick Dorgu has shown potential as a left winger for Manchester United, especially after Ruben Amorim's departure. His best performances have come while playing in this position, suggesting he could be a strong alternative to City's Nico O'Reilly.
Key points
Patrick Dorgu can excel as a left winger.
He was signed as a left wing-back.
His best performances have been as a winger.
Ruben Amorim's exit influenced his role.
Dorgu is compared to City's Nico O'Reilly.
Manchester UnitedManchester City
Why Patrick Dorgu could be Manchester United’s answer to City’s Nico O’Reilly
One thing we learned after Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United exit was that Patrick Dorgu can be a brilliant left winger.
Signed as a left wing-back, with the expectation that he would slot in as a left-back should United revert to a back four, it is interesting to note that Dorgu’s best games in United colours have come when playing as a winger.
Dorgu has everything to thrive as a winger
Some United fans are now convinced that, going forward, Dorgu should simply keep playing as a winger. Indeed, they feel his combination of explosive pace, relentless energy, and advanced attacking instincts, which see him act as a direct, goal-scoring threat who can stretch defences and turn defence into attack instantly, is best served out wide.
Moreover, having watched him do exactly that against Manchester City, and then Arsenal before that injury, you would feel that Dorgu at left wing could genuinely work.
Yet there are those who feel Dorgu at left wing is a gamble United should not take, and instead would rather he played the left-back role he was signed for.
O’Reilly, a perfect example
Q&A
What position does Patrick Dorgu play for Manchester United?
Patrick Dorgu primarily plays as a left winger for Manchester United.
How did Patrick Dorgu perform after Ruben Amorim's exit?
After Ruben Amorim's exit, Patrick Dorgu excelled in his role as a left winger, showcasing his skills.
Who is Nico O'Reilly and how does he compare to Patrick Dorgu?
Nico O'Reilly is a player for Manchester City, and Patrick Dorgu is being considered as a potential answer to his impact at United.
What are Patrick Dorgu's strengths as a winger?
Patrick Dorgu has demonstrated the skills and abilities necessary to thrive as a winger, particularly in his recent performances.
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Those resisting Dorgu at left wing, however, need only look at what Pep Guardiola has done with Nico O’Reilly.
O’Reilly is naturally a central midfielder, but Guardiola saw something in him that could make him flourish at left-back. Consequently, he moved him to full-back, and now O’Reilly is City’s first choice, and he is absolutely bossing it.
City’s number 33 is not simply filling in; rather, he is thriving, defending high lines, overlapping, cutting inside, delivering crosses, and chipping in with goals and assists.
Indeed, you cannot talk about City’s brilliant 2026 run; one that saw them lift the Carabao Cup and could yet see them outwit Arsenal in the 2025–26 title race, without acknowledging how key O’Reilly has been. He has not played as an attacker, yet he has hit seven goals since the turn of the year.
That, in turn, can be Dorgu, too, for the Red Devils. After all, the Dane showed he can be a real force playing as a winger, scoring three goals and contributing an assist across just four games in that role.
Dorgu could shape United’s summer transfer window
Beyond the midfield, a left-winger signing is thought to be high on the agenda at Old Trafford. But, for a complete midfield rebuild, committing to a marquee winger signing simultaneously would surely be a financial stretch. Would United have the resources to go toe-to-toe with European giants for someone like Yan Diomande after two big midfield signings? They are unlikely to.
Therefore, embracing Dorgu as a winger, a role in which he has already proved he can be a massive hit, could make perfect sense. Who knows, he could end up being every bit as impactful as O’Reilly is turning out to be.
The Plan
If the 20-time English champions take that route, with Dorgu and Matheus Cunha as left-wing options and an overlapping left-back signed to partner Cunha, the left side is sorted.
With a solid base, a revamped midfield, and a stronger defence, any winger in that system would be well placed to flourish.
That, in turn, saves up millions in transfer funds to channel into other positions, such as another experienced centre-back and a capable striker to push Benjamin Sesko.
Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images
