Denmark boss makes surprise Patrick Dorgu admission after Manchester United transfer

Denmark boss makes surprise Patrick Dorgu admission after Manchester United transfer

Denmark manager Brian Riemer has warned Patrick Dorgu that he is going to have to adapt an unprecedented level of expectation following his move to Manchester United.

The 20-year-old joined United on a five-and-a-half-year deal from Italian side Lecce on Sunday after flying in from Italy and passing a medical on Saturday.

United had prioritised the addition of a left-sided wing-back ahead of the January transfer window and they identified Dorgu as a suitable fit for head coach Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation.

He has been on an upward trajectory in Italy in recent months and it is felt that his pace and athleticism make him a shoo-in to become United’s first-choice left wing-back.

However, Riemer, who is tasked with overseeing Dorgu’s development on the international stage, has warned him that he is going to experience levels of expectation and pressure that he has not previously been subjected to.

“It is a huge endorsement of Danish talent development that two of our greatest talents, Rasmus Hojlund and Patrick Dorgu, are part of perhaps the world’s greatest club,” Riemer told Tipsbladet.

“Patrick must know that when he goes from Lecce to Manchester United, the expectations and pressure are completely different. He has also had a lot of considerations about that with his supporters.

“If he succeeds, the gain is also greater, because then he is on the biggest blade. He has every opportunity to take a huge step forward in his career, but it is up to him to seize the chance.”

Dorgu, who made his first-team debut for Denmark last September, has made one appearance for his national team since Riemer was installed as Danes’ new manager in November. He stepped off the bench for the closing stages of a 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Nations League.

Denmark are next in action in March, facing Portugal twice in a two-legged Nations League quarter-final. Dorgu has made just one start for his country at senior level thus far.