PATRICK DORGU has been slammed by Martin O’Neill for his poor performance in Manchester United’s 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest.
Anthony Elanga scored a stunning solo goal to condemn his former team to their 13th defeat of the Premier League season on Tuesday night.
Patrick Dorgu came under fire from Martin O’Neill for his performance at Nottingham Forest
O’Neill, a Forest hero in the 70s, said he could have done Dorgu’s job even now
O’Neill, a double European champion with Forest, was delighted to see his old club tighten their grip on third in the Prem, as they bid to qualify for next year’s Champions League.
Elanga flooded forward from his own penalty area in the fifth minute, covering 85m in the space of just nine seconds, to lash home the opener.
United dominated the ball at 68 per cent possession and had 23 shots to Forest’s eight, but none of them too threatening for Matz Sels.
While Ruben Amorim‘s side showed signs of improving on the ball, individual mistakes and the lack of firepower up front were glaring.
And O’Neill was particularly scathing in his assessment of Dorgu, who was playing just his seventh match since arriving from Lecce for £29.4 million in January.
Working as a pundit for TNT Sports, the 73-year-old said: “They had Dorgu playing tonight. I could have done what he did!
“He’s wide left-hand side, he’s got the ball and you’re saying: ‘Come on! Your job is to take players on. Get at them!’
“He’s laid it inside three times in the first 10 minutes of the second half… to the opposition!
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“Maybe it’s no confidence, I don’t know what it is. But these type of things are all over the field for Manchester United.”
Rio Ferdinand highlighted that Dorgu was caught on the wrong side of Elanga, before he made his incredible game-winning run at the edge of Forest’s box early on.
And the 20-year-old regularly missed placed passes throughout his 90 minutes.
But fans have also criticised Alejandro Garnacho – who skied several shots – for not passing to Dorgu, who was making well-meaning overlapping runs.
Dorgu was coming off a stellar performance against Real Sociedad in the Europa League, where he had five shots on goal and won Bruno Fernandes’ game-leading penalty.
The Dane was crucial to United winning 4-1 on aggregate and advancing to face Lyon in the quarter-finals.
But the left-wing back hasn’t quite hit the ground running in his four Prem games.
Anthony Elanga ran 85 metres in 9 seconds WITH the ball in his counter-attack goal vs Man Utd ⌚️🔥 pic.twitter.com/x4bJaBn8yk
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 1, 2025
Forest was his first league game back since his three-match suspension for picking up a straight red for a ruthless challenge on Omari Hutchinson against Ipswich in February.
Amorim was desperate to bolster his left-wing options in January with Diogo Dalot being forced to switch from the right side, Luke Shaw injured and Tyrell Malacia sent out on loan to PSV Eindhoven.
O’Neill further suggested that the current United squad lacks the depth and quality to genuinely contend in the Prem.
The Northern Irishman, whose last managerial job saw him sacked by Forest in 2019, added: “Man United have some really good players.
“Obviously, Fernandes is a top-quality player. But they haven’t enough good players to be a threat in this league.
“And when I say a threat for Manchester United, I’m talking about getting into the top four.”
The gritty win marked the first league double over United for the Tricky Trees since 1992 when legendary boss Brian Clough was still in charge of the club.
Man Utd player ratings vs Nottingham Forest
MANCHESTER UNITED’S woes continue after another disappointing loss to Nottingham Forest.
Forest picked up a 1-0 victory at the City Ground thanks to ex-United ace Anthony Elanga’s winner after just five minutes.
United remain 13th in the Premier League table and look set for their worst ever Premier League finish.
That is at least what their performance at Forest showed, as Ruben Amorim’s men don’t show signs of really understanding the Portuguese tactician’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation.
But who stood out for a poor United’s side? And who was the biggest disappointment?
Check out Kostas Lianos’ players ratings below and find out…
Andre Onana – 5
Can’t blame him for Nottingham Forest’s winner as Anthony Elanga’s shot was too good. Made a stunning save to deny Ryan Yates’ header without knowing the Forest ace was offside.
Leny Yoro – 5
Should have been more aware before Elanga’s goal that came straight after a Man Utd corner-kick in which he had moved forward.
One could argue Yoro made up for it when he stopped a fine run by Elanga in the second half with an amazing and well-timed challenge to save United from a second.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
The centre-back was also nowhere to be seen before Elanga’s goal. No other major errors but should have done better on the rebound after Diogo Dalot’s header hit the crossbar.
Noussair Mazraoui – 4
Completely hopeless during Elanga’s run that led to the goal and struggled in his defensive duties, especially in the first half. Not sure if the full-back fits in a defensive trio as part of Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation…
Diogo Dalot – 6
A strong performance down the right wing with some fine runs and good crosses. Registered United’s best chance in the first half when his header rattled Forest’s crossbar.
Casemiro – 4
At fault for Elanga’s goal as there was absolutely no midfield presence during Forest’s counter.
Loads of inaccurate passes and got booked for a reckless challenge on Yates before complaining in a very unjust way. Registered three shots but didn’t cause concern for Matz Sels.
Manuel Ugarte – 4
Cut a rather anonymous figure, among the guilty parties for Elanga’s goal as Man Utd’s midfield was caught sleeping. Rightly substituted at half-time.
Patrick Dorgu – 5
A fine display during the first half as he cut a strong presence down the left flank, even though he was completely outrun by Elanga before the goal.
But the versatile full-back was the complete opposite in the second half with a series of errors against a stunning Neco Williams.
Bruno Fernandes – 6
Registered the game’s first shot on target with a powerful effort that required a lunge from Sels, and that was basically United’s best shot throughout the entire match.
Fernandes produced some fine long balls and upgraded Man Utd’s midfield after Ugarte and Casemiro’s exits.
Alejandro Garnacho – 2
Very disappointing performance from the winger. Completely hopeless before Elanga’s goal with a desperate tackle and was lucky to avoid a booking for a ridiculous challenge on Yates while the Argentina international was on the attack.
A game riddled with heavy touches, failed dribbles, wrong passes, blocked shots and a silly yellow card as he kicked the ball away in frustration. Had a good shot on 69 minutes as a saving grace.
Joshua Zirkzee – 3
Was supposed to be a striker but was often seen playing too deep and didn’t register a chance in front of Forest’s goal. Didn’t inspire any danger even after Rasmus Hojlund came on to help him up front.
SUBS
Rasmus Hojlund – 5
Was much better than a woeful Zirkzee up front for Man Utd. But didn’t cause any significant danger and never looked like a goalscoring threat. Harry Maguire looked far more lethal as a false nine after he entered the pitch with a lot more presence inside the box.
Christian Eriksen – 4
Didn’t really elevate United’s midfield after Ugarte and Casemiro’s exit. The sort of performance that makes one wonder about his Old Trafford future…
Harry Maguire – 5
Only played nine minutes as a false nine and was by far Man Utd’s best forward. Brought on as a desperation move that almost paid off with the best chance of the match as his last-gasp effort was cleared by Murillo just off the line.
Mason Mount – N/A
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