The Manchester United defender was Ruben Amorim’s first signing for the club when he joined in January, and he is hoping to repay the manager’s faith in the Bilbao final
Patrick Dorgu’s middle name is Chinazaekpere – which translates as ‘God Answers Prayers.’
And the Manchester United defender is putting his faith in helping Manchester United beat Tottenham in the Europa League Final on Wednesday night to deliver a place in the Champions League.
Dorgu, the Copenhagen-born wing-back of Nigerian heritage, inherited his strong religious beliefs from his parents. He explained: “My family are religious and the reason they gave me my middle name was because of the meaning behind it.
“They told me at a young age what it meant. It comes from my Ebo heritage. My family’s culture is something I learned about. I believe in God and I am always praying. I hope we win the final – it’s what I am praying for.”
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Dorgu, 20, came through the academy at Nordsjaelland before moving to Italian club Lecce.
He became Ruben Amorim’s first United signing when he arrived at Old Trafford for £25million during the winter transfer window after the club’s scouts suggested he was the perfect fit for the Portuguese’s tactical preference.
Dorgu said: “My thinking was that I was moving to one of the biggest teams in the world, big names, big players so for me at the age of just 20 it would be better for me to progress and develop my talent.
“It would mean a lot to me and to the club and the players to win the Europa League. We’re not angry, but we are disappointed about this season. I’m getting better game by game, getting more confident so I hope I can improve even more in the last three games of this season and in the seasons to come.
“Obviously I came there in a difficult moment (for the team), so I knew that nothing was going to be easy for me. It is all about working hard, looking forward, believing in the coach and the players and to improve my game.
“It has been difficult but I think there will be a lot of good years coming up, so we just need to stay focused and win the final.
“Spurs are a dangerous opponent. They have beaten us three times already this season, so we can’t think it will be easy.
“They have beaten us twice in the league and once in the Carabao Cup, so it will be a tough game even though both teams haven’t been playing well.”
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