Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu is set to pick up more minutes during the international break for Denmark, but the national team coach has admitted his regrets over the lack of minutes afforded to the left-back.
Manchester United are currently enjoying a five-match unbeaten run and appear to have finally found their rhythm after a sluggish start to the Premier League campaign.
The Reds now sit joint fifth in the table, just a point shy of fourth-placed Sunderland. While many had dismissed their chances of securing a Champions League spot earlier in the season, renewed optimism is beginning to take hold.
While there is the chance that the international break could hamper United’s momentum, the majority of United’s starting squad are featuring for their respective national sides, before Man Utd’s Premier League action gets back underway on the 24th of November when they host Everton.
One of these players away with their national side is Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu, who, after starting five out of United’s six games at the start of the season, has been displaced by Diogo Dalot at left wing-back, starting on the bench for four out of United’s last five games.
Dorgu’s limited minutes for Denmark
Denmark coach Brian Riemer has admitted that he should have been playing Dorgu more often, who has preferred to use the more experienced Joakim Mæhle over the 21-year-old.
However, due to an injury to Mæhle, the Man Utd left-back is set to start in both of Denmark’s World Cup qualifiers against Belarus and Scotland.
As reported by Sport Witness, the Danish head coach said: “Now Dorgu will get the chance. He still has areas for development, both he and we know that, but he is also still young.
“He’s completely ready to play these international matches, because he plays matches almost every week for Manchester United, where he meets the best players in the world.
“He has to go in and show that he can translate the promising moves into some good performances for the national team, and I am looking forward to seeing that.
“No one doubts Patrick Dorgu’s qualities. He has deserved more than I have given him, if I am to be completely honest.
“Based on his merits, he could well have been given more playing time by me. Hopefully, Patrick does well in the upcoming games, so I have even more doubts in the future.”
Dorgu could struggle for minutes in the future
It’s easy to forget that Dorgu is still just 21 years old and has played a significant number of minutes since making the switch from Serie A to the Premier League at the start of the year.
However, with Lisandro Martinez’s imminent return to United’s starting squad, Dorgu could see his minutes further limited by the Argentine’s return, who would displace Luke Shaw at left centre-back, with the Englishman expected to be pushed out to left wing-back.
Harry Amass’ form on loan at Sheffield Wednesday could cause further issues for Dorgu going forward, with the English left-back enjoying success at the struggling Championship side.
Should Amass continue that form until the end of the season, there is a chance that he could be used as an understudy to Shaw, and Dorgu may be sent out on loan to get more minutes and develop.
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