PATRICK DORGU HITS BACK AT RUBEN AMORIM’S "ANXIOUS" COMMENTS IN NEW INTERVIEW
Patrick Dorgu addresses Ruben Amorim’s "anxiety" comments, crediting Michael Carrick for his Manchester United resurgence and form.
Patrick Dorgu felt the sting from Ruben Amorim’s criticism after Amorim said you could “feel the anxiety” whenever Dorgu got the ball during those rough final weeks at Old Trafford.
Amorim, who had taken over after leaving Sporting Lisbon, got sacked by United in early January. The results just weren’t good enough during his 14 months in charge. Then Michael Carrick came in as the interim boss, and things started to turn around.
Back in November, after a 1-0 loss to Everton, Amorim pointed the finger at Dorgu, who’d joined from Lecce for £25 million the previous year. “You can feel the anxiety every time Patrick touches the ball,” he said. Honestly, that probably cut a bit deeper than he expected.
Four months later, and looking back, Dorgu admits Amorim’s words got under his skin, but he tried to turn them into motivation to prove himself.
“It hit me a little bit when Amorim said that,” Dorgu told The Telegraph. “When your coach criticises you, of course, it affects you. But I tried to take it in stride and improve my game.”
He was starting to hit his stride before Amorim left. When some of his teammates headed to Afcon, Dorgu found himself playing more and felt his rhythm coming back.
“I just tried to carry that confidence over to playing under Fletcher and Carrick,” he said. “I wanted to play with more freedom, just show what I could do.”
Dorgu hadn’t played since January because of a nasty hamstring injury he picked up in a 3-2 win at Arsenal, a game where he actually scored. He’d been one of Carrick’s brightest performers in those early weeks right before getting hurt.
Now, under Carrick, United are pretty much locked in for a Champions League return next season, and Carrick’s got a real shot at the permanent job. Looking back on Amorim’s comments, Dorgu feels they came when his confidence was at rock bottom, with the team struggling all around him.
“I don’t think ‘anxious’ is the right word,” Dorgu said. “It wasn’t that. I just had no confidence, and the team was struggling.”
He felt the timing of Amorim’s remarks was off, especially since he’d been playing well with his national team. “I don’t see how I can play well in one place and then be called anxious in another. I think he just said it at the wrong time.”
KOBBIE MAINOO COMMITS LONG-TERM FUTURE TO UNITED AFTER SIGNING £150K-A-WEEK BUMPER DEAL
Why Kobbie Mainoo’s new long-term deal is a game-changer for Michael Carrick's Manchester United project in 2026.
Kobbie Mainoo is sticking with Manchester United for the long haul. He just signed a new five-year deal, running until 2031, and his pay has shot up to about £150,000 a week, a pretty big jump for a guy who started as a youth player.
The last time Mainoo signed a contract, he was only 17 and just breaking into the first team. Talks about a new deal kicked off a couple of years ago, but everything paused when he left the squad during Ruben Amorim’s time in charge.
Once Michael Carrick stepped in as manager in January, things changed fast. Suddenly, Mainoo was back in the mix, and contract talks picked up speed. By early February, local reports were saying a deal would get done before the season wrapped up.
Mainoo’s proud of where he’s come from. “Manchester United has always been my home; this special club means everything to my family,” he said. “I grew up seeing how much this club matters in our city, and I love wearing this shirt and carrying that responsibility.
From my first training session at six, through The Cliff, Littleton Road, Carrington, and now Old Trafford, it’s been amazing. Living my dream every day, I’ve still got the same drive to succeed here.”
He feels the club’s momentum is building and wants to help United fight for trophies again.
Director of football Jason Wilcox is thrilled. “Kobbie’s one of the most naturally gifted young footballers out there. He’s got the skill and the work ethic, and he’s humble – a great example for other young players and a credit to our academy. We’re happy to have him stay, and we believe he’ll grow into one of the best, helping United chase the biggest prizes.”
This new contract closes a tough chapter for Mainoo. Earlier this season, he barely played just 213 minutes in the league and was considering a loan to Napoli before Amorim got fired. Since Carrick took over, Mainoo’s been a regular, missing only one game out of thirteen, nearly never leaving the pitch, and he’s been in stellar form. His partnership with Casemiro has helped power United’s turnaround, and now they’re eyeing a return to the Champions League.
FABRIZIO ROMANO CONFIRMS MANCHESTER UNITED MIDFIELD SHORTLIST FEATURING CARLOS BALEBA AND EDERSON
Fabrizio Romano reveals Manchester United's hunt for Ederson and Carlos Baleba. Plus, the latest on Marcus Rashford's Barcelona exit.
Fabrizio Romano has some fresh news about Manchester United's interest in Carlos Baleba from Brighton and Ederson from Atalanta.
Last summer, United poured most of their transfer money into attackers Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo, all of whom joined the squad. Fans really weren’t thrilled that the club didn’t sign any midfielders, especially since that’s been a weak spot. The team looks stronger going forward now, but the plan for this summer is clear: United want at least two new midfielders.
Baleba was someone United checked out last year, but Brighton’s asking price scared them off. Lately, there’s been some buzz about Ederson from Atalanta, too. Romano laid things out during his latest YouTube update. He said United are set on upgrading their midfield, especially since Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro are both leaving. United will probably be linked to a bunch of midfielders, but they still haven’t decided who they’ll sign or which options they’ll activate.
Baleba’s been on United’s radar since August 2025. Apparently, he wanted the move, and terms between him and United were sorted, but it’s up to United to push ahead or walk away.
Now, about Ederson. Romano said Atalanta wants €45 m for him, and while he’s already agreed to personal terms with Atletico Madrid, Atletico haven’t sealed the deal because they think the price is too steep, especially with Ederson under contract until summer 2027 and not planning to sign a new one. Atletico are also looking at Julian Brandt and Joao Gomes from Wolves, who've been in their sights since January and are in talks with their agent Jorge Mendes.
Romano said two Premier League teams are eyeing Ederson, and United’s interest isn’t new; they were watching him last year, and he’s still on their list. United are up-to-date about Ederson’s situation, but nothing’s decided yet. Their moves depend on Champions League qualification and which manager takes charge. After that, they’ll choose which midfielders to go after.
Ederson’s been tracked by United for a while, but Atalanta wouldn’t let him leave last summer. Now, they’re ready to sell for €45m, but United still haven’t made a call.
Switching gears, Barcelona’s looking to renegotiate Marcus Rashford’s loan. Some reports from Spain claim Rashford will be the “first casualty” if Barcelona lands Julian Alvarez.
Romano gave an update on Rashford, saying he’s been great this season both on and off the pitch. Being at Barcelona isn’t easy, especially when you’re stuck on the bench, but Rashford stayed positive with teammates and the coach, who’s pleased with him. The ball’s in Barcelona’s court.
Right now, Barca wants to restructure Rashford’s loan. They haven’t triggered the €30m buy option from United, while United wants that clause paid or Rashford to come back, and they figure out whether to sell him outright or try something else.
There’s still a gap between what United and Barcelona want. Barca are considering other targets, and internally, they’re debating whether to keep Rashford.
Rashford’s keen to stay at Barcelona. He’s happy there and thinks he can shine even brighter next season. The connection is strong, but ultimately, it’s Barcelona’s call; either they activate the buy option or try to reach a new deal with United.
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