United in Numbers: Dorgu unleashed!

Analysing the data since Christmas, the Manchester United wide man has been scoring highly in a variety of metrics.

Opta have put his output into context, when compared to his peers, and we caught up with the Denmark international to discuss his impressive work of late.

Ever since scoring the only goal in the Boxing Day victory over Newcastle United, he has excelled and, when being utilised in a more advanced position, is providing a constant threat.

The second goal against Manchester City provided more evidence of his soaring confidence and he will be looking forward to our next challenge, away to leaders Arsenal, on Sunday.

When looking at the top flight as a whole, Patrick's 11 chances created since Christmas is only one behind the top men for this stat. The fact he is level with the ever-creative Bruno Fernandes says it all, and illustrates his importance to the cause.

CHANCES CREATED SINCE CHRISTMAS

12: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United)
12: Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspur)
12: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
12: Anton Stach (Leeds United)
11: PATRICK CHINAZAEKPERE DORGU (UNITED)
11: Bruno Fernandes (United)
11: Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)

Yet Dorgu is also at the sharp end of things at the moment, producing efforts on goal himself. It is also worth remembering he would have scored a dramatic late winner against Wolverhampton Wanderers, had it not been ruled out for a marginal offside call.

Combining his shots and chances created, he again ranks highly when looking across the division since 25 December.

SHOTS+CHANCES CREATED IN PREMIER LEAGUE

25: Raul Jimenez (Fulham) 17+8
24: Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) 15+9
24: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) 13+11
24: Harry Wilson (Fulham) 17+7
22: PATRICK CHINAZAEKPERE DORGU (UNITED) 11+11
22: Erling Haaland (Manchester City) 19+3
22: Igor Thiago (Brentford) 17+5
22: Florian Wirtz (Liverpool) 12+10

When we put the headline figures to Dorgu, he replied: "No [I didn't know that], I think, obviously when you play higher up, you have more freedom.

"You are higher up the pitch, so you are closer to their goal, so it's easier to create chances and get forward.

"So, yeah, I just enjoy playing there. Hopefully, I'll be even more attacking in the coming games and help the team score goals or get assists.

"I like to get in the box, I like to score goals. I like to get assists. I like to help my team defend as well. We need to do everything together. Even if I'm playing as a winger, I will still always do the defensive job because I've been a defender before."

Dorgu's physical approach cannot be overlooked, either. The 21-year-old has been a combative presence ever since joining from Lecce last year and is always up for the battle.

Only Nottingham Forest's Neco Williams has been fouled more times than Patrick since Christmas and, yet, he always dusts himself down and gets on with the job. Even when clearly being hurt in a tussle with Burnley's Kyle Walker recently, he made no fuss and soldiered on.

It is an area where he has clearly been able to adapt quickly, despite the rigours associated with the Premier League.

DUELS WON SINCE CHRISTMAS

50: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest)
48: James Tarkowski (Everton)
45: PATRICK CHINAZAEKPERE DORGU (UNITED)
44: Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur)
40: James Garner (Everton)
40: Joelinton (Newcastle United)

POSSESSION WON SINCE CHRISTMAS

43: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest)
40: James Garner (Everton)
34: Yehor Yarmoliuk (Brentford)
33: PATRICK CHINAZAEKPERE DORGU (UNITED)

"It's obviously one of my attributes," he added. "I'm really strong, so I just try to put my body in there and get tackles and try to win the ball back as quick as possible.”

As he approaches a year as a Red, the versatile Denmark international will be hoping to continue registering impressive stats and helping the team achieve our goals this term.

"It's one of the biggest teams in the world, so every minute you get, you need to be proud of it," he said. "And just me being on the pitch is a blessing for me, so I just try to work on my game, game by game, and just have fun out there.

"Yeah, I would say I feel at home. One year, it's a long time, so I feel comfortable now in this team and in the country. I feel good and I think this year has been really good to me. I've learned a lot, I've improved a lot as a player as well.

"I just need to keep being happy and keep working on myself, and to improve game by game.”