Manchester United wing-back Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu has discussed the importance of pre-season following his first outing of the new campaign.
United kicked off our 2025/26 season with a 0-0 draw against Leeds United in Sweden; a game that saw Dorgu turn out for the second half as Ruben Amorim fielded two separate XIs either side of the break.
The 20-year-old arrived at the club back in February earlier this year from Italian outfit Lecce, so is embarking on his maiden pre-season with the Reds.
With these first minutes of the new campaign under his belt, the Dane was keen to express the importance of these games in order to prepare for the season proper.
“It's good to play a competitive game,”
Dorgu told MUTV following a well-fought clash with Leeds. “To feel the ball and also to feel the teammates on the pitch, to build a connection with the new players who are coming in.
”It's good to get going again. It's good to get some minutes in the tank, and yeah, we're all excited for the upcoming games.“
Dorgu is yet to share the pitch with new signings Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon, with the pair having played the first 45 minutes instead, but United now look ahead to the next three games of Tour 2025, presented by Snapdragon, which see us face West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton in the Premier League Summer Series.
Those upcoming games will no doubt give Amorim time to experiment with his starting squads and give the new Reds chance to spend some time with their new colleagues, something Dorgu feels is important.
“Yeah, it's good.”
the wing-back said of the Stateside trip. “We have a big season ahead of us, so it's good that we go together, to create togetherness and team spirit and all of that, so we just look forward for the next games.
”It's three good teams, so we need to prepare well and take these games 100 per cent seriously so we can get ready for Arsenal, the first [Premier League] game.“
United has a famously strong following across the Atlantic, who will undoubtedly turn out in their droves for our matches in New Jersey, Chicago and Atlanta, and Dorgu is excited to encounter our passionate fanbase in America as part of the pre-season campaign.
He added: ”It will be my first time in America, so it will be a good experience for me, and I really look forward to seeing all the United fans.“