Patrick Dorgu is back in Denmark's squad after Manchester United's Sunday draw with Aston Villa clarified how serious his injury really was. Brian Riemer said Denmark only changed course after that game, and the defender's return came with a goal and an assist in 24 minutes. He had been out since September.
Riemer's late call-up
The key detail is the timing. Riemer told A Bola, in comments translated from Portuguese: "Only yesterday [Sunday] did we learn that the injury was not as we had thought. So, we called up this player. We are all hoping that he can play an important role in the next games."
That is why the recall came so late. Denmark had already been planning for the final two rounds of Group A4 in the Nations League, with Portugal in Braga and Norway in Copenhagen, before Dorgu's condition and form shifted the decision.
Dorgu's return against Aston Villa
Dorgu returned on Sunday in Manchester United's 4-4 draw with Aston Villa and made the most of a short outing. He played 24 minutes, finished with a goal and an assist, and gave Denmark a reason to move quickly.
The performance also fits a broader pattern in his season. Dorgu has already made 6 Premier League appearances this season and has 2 goal contributions in the league. That is enough to explain why Denmark wanted him back in the group, even if the call-up itself does not mean the injury story is over. The squad is now up to 25 players for the upcoming matches, and Portugal vs Denmark is the next fixture on the calendar.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
