"You can feel the anxiety every time he touches the ball" - Ruben Amorim gives advice to struggling Manchester United star

Ruben Amorim has said that Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu feels anxious whenever he is with the ball and urged the 21-year-old 'to be calmer playing the game.'

Dorgu was in the starting lineup during Manchester United's 1-0 defeat to 10-man Everton on Monday. The Dane struggled to impress during the 58 minutes he spent on the pitch and consequently drew the ire of fans for his performance.

Amorim, while speaking in the pre-Crystal Palace press conference, admitted that he sensed nervousness every time Dorgu touched the ball. He referred to the goal Dorgu scored for Denmark against Scotland during the World Cup qualifiers, as well as a missed chance during the defeat to Everton.

When asked if his attacking output in the final third is where Dorgu needs to improve, Amorim said:

“I think it's the decision. He needs to be calmer playing the game. You can feel the anxiety every time Patrick touches the ball. I can feel the anxiety. And you remember the shot against Everton. That was easier than the decision that he had to make when the guys from Scotland were there, and he has a great decision, and I saw it when he played in Italy. But again, here is different, and sometimes the pressure is hard for them in the beginning, but he has time to improve.”

Dorgu, naturally a left-sided player, has been deployed both as a left-back and a right-back since his move to Manchester United earlier this year. He has made 12 appearances for the Red Devils in the current campaign, registering one assist

"I’m not just focused on one individual"—Ruben Amorim on Manchester United star's lack of playing time

Ruben Amorim believes 'it's a little bit unfair' that concerns persist about Kobbie Mainoo's reduced playing time when several of his teammates are in a similar situation.

Mainoo has yet to start a Premier League match for Manchester United season, despite making nine appearances across competitions. The Englishman faces stiff competition in midfield in Amorim’s squad and has been rumored to be considering a loan move in January in search of playing time.

When asked about how close Mainoo is to starting a game ahead of the trip to Palace, Amorim told reporters:

“Yeah, but this is a team sport. You talk a lot of about Kobbie, I have more players in my squad that want to be in the World Cup, so it's a little bit unfair. I put Kobbie [in on Monday] because he's really good near the box, to have a guy like Bruno and him, they can find spaces near the box and score goals. So that was my idea. So, I will use Kobbie and the rest of them to try for the team to win.

“So, I'm not just focused on one individual. I want to help all my players and I know how special it is for a player to play World Cup. My job is to win as a team and to focus as a team. So, Kobbie Mainoo is in the same situation as the other guys. If I feel that is the best thing to win the game, I will do it. So that's it.”

Mainoo came through the ranks at Manchester United and was promoted to the senior team in 2023.