Neville Left Bemused by Dorgu's Transformation: From Amorim's "Average" to Carrick's Winger Extraordinaire

Patrick Dorgu has become an entirely different proposition since Michael Carrick took the reins at Old Trafford, according to Gary Neville—and the evidence was writ large across the Emirates on Sunday.

The Danish winger has now found the net in both of Carrick's two matches in charge, following Ruben Amorim's sacking earlier this month. His contribution to the 3-2 triumph over Arsenal was nothing short of spectacular: a thunderbolt from distance that cannoned in off the bar to put United ahead at 2-1. When Mikel Merino hauled the Gunners level moments later, it seemed the script might flip. But Matheus Cunha's equally stunning finish sealed a fourth-place finish for the Red Devils.

Neville, reflecting on Dorgu's display for Sky Sports, couldn't help but draw a stark contrast between his performances under the previous regime and his current trajectory. "Patrick Dorgu looked like such an average wing-back under Ruben Amorim," the pundit remarked. "Further forward he looks like a completely and utterly different player. It's an unbelievable goal, a goal of a lifetime. What a hit, it's a beauty."

Expanding on his analysis during his Sky Sports podcast, Neville elaborated: "At left wing-back, I just thought he was a bit… (sighs)… Look, you can't really criticise him because he's a willing runner, always wants the ball and worked hard under Ruben Amorim. But you thought, what is he? How's he going to get Manchester United back to where they need to be?"

The former United captain noted that glimpses of Dorgu's true quality had emerged when Amorim occasionally deployed him further up the pitch. "The first time we saw what he could be was actually under Amorim when he played him as a wide right," Neville explained. "I thought he could play when he had a bit more freedom and a player behind him—he could be a good wide player, cause problems, get crosses in. Then Amorim put him back at wing-back and you thought, oh no."

Now, with Carrick having repositioned him as a winger proper, Dorgu's quality is unmistakable. "His goal was absolutely brilliant," Neville concluded. "Patrick Dorgu typifies what has happened at Manchester United in this last week."

Carrick himself was effusive in his praise for the 20-year-old. "Pat's been a big player for us," the interim boss said. "Obviously he's scored two goals but in terms of the threat and athleticism and quality, he's been immense down the side with Luke Shaw against two teams that ask a lot of questions."

The manager also offered an encouraging update on Dorgu's wellbeing after he departed the pitch at the Emirates. "I am delighted for him because the two goals he's scored are very different goals. It's nice to see him smiling and happy. He obviously came off with, hopefully, a little bit of cramp, hopefully it's nothing worse. At this stage, it's hard to tell, so we'll just have to wait and see. Hopefully it's not too bad."