Rúben Amorim has a new undroppable player as Manchester United drew 2-2 with Everton, winning the 2025 Premier League Summer Series.
Manchester United were held to a 2-2 draw by Everton in their fourth pre-season fixture, as Rúben Amorim’s men saw two leads slip away in an entertaining encounter.
United started inconsistently, blending bright moments with some careless passing. They took the lead just before the 20-minute mark when Bruno Fernandes converted from the spot after Amad was brought down in the box.
Despite continuing to threaten, United’s defence showed signs of vulnerability, and Everton capitalised just before the break—Manuel Ugarte was dispossessed, allowing Iliman Ndiaye to level.
The second half saw more open play, and substitute Mason Mount looked to have won it with a brilliant curling strike past Jordan Pickford. But Everton equalised again when Amad’s attempted tackle ricocheted off Ayden Heaven and found its way past Altay Bayındır, leaving the sides to share the spoils.
Dorgu made massive difference vs Everton
Amorim chose to start Diogo Dalot and Amad as the wing-back pairing on Sunday evening, but the former did not have the best game.
Dalot was still pushing very high, but he was a lot less effective on the left compared to his more natural right flank, and when Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu replaced him in the second half, the latter made a “massive difference” to the team.
Too often, when Dalot was on the ball, it felt as if the play slowed down as he adjusted to his right foot on the left side. In contrast, when Dorgu was on the field, his pace and energy sparked United into dangerous situations.
While it’s hard to blame Dalot too much for this, as he is in a more unnatural position compared to when he plays on the right, Dorgu must be the starting left wing-back in the future.
Dorgu has become one of Amorim’s undroppables
Pre-season has allowed Amorim to reset and address his favoured starting XI at United, and Dorgu has very much cemented himself as one of the head coach’s undroppable players.
He put in a storming display in midweek against Bournemouth, collecting a goal and an assist, with his positive performance likely a reason why he was then rested on Sunday evening, to keep him fresh.
But, with the two options behind him being Dalot and new signing Diego Leon, who is very much an understudy, Dorgu will almost certainly be starting every game after Amorim’s praise this week.
“It’s impressive. He’s 20 years old. He looks more and more like he belongs in Manchester United, and that is hard to do it [at] 20 years old,” the head coach said.
“But he’s so powerful, he’s getting his technique in his game, he’s defending so well, he’s pressing so well. So I’m really impressed with Patrick.”
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