Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu has been chosen as the Manchester United fans' Man of the Match after the Boxing Day victory over Newcastle United.
Dorgu scored the only goal of the game in the Reds’ 1-0 win at Old Trafford on Friday night, volleying home in the 24th minute to open his scoring account for the club.
It was quite a strike and the ideal way to mark a big night for the Denmark international, who has most often played as a left wing-back since joining us in February, but featured from the right wing against the Magpies as Ruben Amorim changed to back-four formation.
It was from that more attacking position on the opposite side that the 21-year-old was able to set up a big early chance for Benjamin Sesko, with a low cross that the striker got under control and fired wide.
The Reds continued to filter the ball out to Dorgu on the flank, but his goal wasn’t about the new role, rather a brilliant piece of technique.
After Diogo Dalot’s long throw-in from the left was headed up in the air to the edge of the penalty area, Patrick watched the dropping clearance – having got into a central position – and wrapped his left leg around the ball, arrowing a volley inside Aaron Ramsadale’s near post.
With his first goal for the club in the bag, the Dane continued to prove a threat going forward – being denied a second by Ramsdale shortly after – but was able to contribute with some diligent defensive work too, as United maintained the lead right to the final whistle.
His efforts were clearly appreciated by supporters inside Old Trafford at full-time and those voting for their Man of the Match in the United App and on ManUtd.com.
Dorgu collected a majority 60 per cent of all votes in our poll to win the award for the first time, while Ayden Heaven (17 per cent) and Senne Lammens (seven per cent) completed the top three after their own contributions towards a satisfying collective win.
‘LET ME HIT IT!’
As you may expect, Patrick was in good spirits speaking to MUTV commentator Liam Bradford in the Old Trafford tunnel post-match, where they spoke about his first United goal.
Dorgu smiled as he talked through what he was thinking when he struck the ball, saying: “I saw the ball dropping and I was free, so I was just like: ‘Let me hit it!’ Thankfully I hit it really well and it went in.”
Meanwhile, he expressed how much he enjoyed helping the team to win as a winger, explaining: “I played in a different position today, but I enjoyed it and I’m really happy to help the team get three points.
“You get the ball in dangerous positions, and I think I connected well with my team-mates and created some chances. It was important to get three points today.”
Thank you to everyone who voted in our Man of the Match poll.