Patrick Dorgu risks Ruben Amorim’s anger with social media slip | OneFootball

Patrick Dorgu has risked Ruben Amorim’s fury after liking a social media post criticising a key tactical decision by the Manchester United head coach.

A Return To Negativity

The Red Devils have endured a mixed start to the season in Amorim’s first full campaign at the helm at Old Trafford.

A five-game unbeaten run, with wins over Sunderland, Liverpool, and Brighton, had eased the noise surrounding the team, after the pressure on the Portuguese coach reached fever pitch following the 3-1 capitulation to Brentford in September.

But this positivity was extinguished on Monday night with a dismal 1-0 defeat to Everton, who played nearly 80 minutes of the match with only ten men. The loss left United in tenth place, closer to the relegation zone than first, and a goal difference of zero.

The table is so tight, however, that a few wins on the bounce – United have the easiest run of fixtures in the league over the next month – could dramatically transform the mood around the club.

But to say there has been a feeling of deflation this week would be an understatement – and that appears to be mirrored by members of the dressing room as much as the fanbase in an explosive twist.

Questions From Within

Dorgu, secured from Lecce in the January transfer window as Amorim’s second senior signing, has liked a post on Instagram which questions his coach’s choice of midfield partnership.

“Any coach that sees Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes as a viable pivot is one that isn’t serious,” the post reads.

Many have questioned whether this pairing suits the 3-4-2-1 system Amorim has steadfastly sought to implement since he arrived from Sporing CP last year.

Neither Fernandes nor Casemiro, at this late stage of the Brazilian’s career, have the speed or strength to thrive in a midfield pivot in the Premier League.

But both are wily operators, whose brains offer far more than the younger legs of their teammates in midfield, such as Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo. Fernandes is also still outstanding in terms of stamina and work rate, despite turning 31 in September.

The difference in United’s performances with and without Casemiro speak for themselves – and explains precisely why Amorim has welcomed him back into the cold, even if the Portuguese coach would have undoubtedly preferred a younger recruit in the summer, such as Carlos Baleba.

For this criticism to be publicly acknowledged by one of Amorim’s own players is a serious matter however, which the Portuguese coach will surely investigate further – as may United’s two experienced midfielders.

Dorgu has since unliked the post, suggesting it was potentially accidental, or perhaps a case of cold feet after a rush of blood to the head. Modern football is plagued by minor indiscretions on social media, with almost endless opportunities for players to do something stupid across several major platforms.

But Amorim has shown little regard for this behaviour, unintentional or not, and Dorgu will almost certainly be under question over the like, whether the 21-year-old Dane likes it or not.

Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images

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