Manchester United full-back Patrick Dorgu admitted that he was shocked to see compatriot Rasmus Hojlund leave the club this summer. The Danish forward left for Napoli on loan on the deadline day after being deemed surplus to Ruben Amorim's needs. The loan deal also gives Napoli a chance to sign the striker permanently next summer for a fee of €44 million (£38m/$51m).
Dorgu was shocked to see Hojlund leave UnitedJoined Napoli on a loan deal on deadline dayHojlund fell out of favour under AmorimFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The writing was on the wall for Hojlund once United spent heavily to reinforce their attack this summer, including the big-money signing of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. Once Sesko was signed, it was clear that Amorim would make the Slovenian his first-choice No.9 and Hojlund would fall in the pecking order.
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However, despite Sesko's arrival, Hojlund was determined to compete and fight for his place in the team. He was reluctant to move out of Old Trafford, but finally completed the deadline-day loan move. The Denmark international's departure came as a surprise to his compatriot Patrick Dorgu, who joined the club in January.
WHAT DORGU SAID
Speaking to , Dorgu said: "That's how it is in football. You never know when it's your turn to move on. We knew it would happen to Christian, but it was perhaps a bigger shock that Rasmus had to move on. I talked to him a lot during the process and could sense which way it was going. Hopefully, we will now see each other every time on the national team.
"I have been very happy to be team-mates with Christian and Rasmus. It was a big plus for me that they were at the club when I joined. That way it was easier to become part of the squad. But it was in no way decisive for my choice of Manchester United. I was thinking much more about the coach’s plans and ideas with me when I had to make the decision."
He added, "I travelled alone to Italy when I was 17. I am also alone in Manchester and I am fine that way. You become incredibly strong mentally when you travel alone so early, because you have to make a lot of decisions. I am sure that mental strength has also helped me on the pitch."
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR HOJLUND?
Hojlund and Dorgu are currently with the Denmark national team and will be next seen in action on September 8.