- The star’s family requested the name change to honour his heritage and religion
- Chido Obi requested that ‘Martin’ be dropped from his name earlier this year
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Manchester United have changed a player’s name on the club’s official website and after a demand was made by his family.
Red Devils wonderkid Chido Obi requested earlier this year to drop the ‘Martin’ from his name — and now January signing Patrick Dorgu has been altered to Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu on official club platforms.
Dorgu, 20, completed his £29.4million move from Serie A side Lecce in January and has since played six times under Ruben Amorim across all competitions ahead of the international break.
The left-back starred most recently for Denmark during Portugal’s 5-2 triumph over the Danes in the Nations League quarter-finals, assisting Christian Eriksen‘s tap-in during the defeat.
Dorgu’s full name has now been added to his profile on Manchester United’s website, as well as on teamsheets and squad lists at the back of the United Review programme.
According to Manchester Evening News, the club have confirmed that Dorgu’s family requested the change out of respect for the Dane’s heritage and religion.
Patrick Dorgu has been altered to Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu on the Man United’s website
His family requested the change to honour the Danish wing-back’s heritage and religion
Dorgu’s name as displayed on Manchester United’s club website. His parents originate from Nigeria and Chinazaekpere roughly translates from Igbo as ‘God answers prayers’
Dorgu’s parents originate from Nigeria — and Chinazaekpere roughly translates from Igbo as ‘God answers prayers’.
In an article written by Manchester United on Monday morning detailing Dorgu’s journey to Old Trafford, the club briefly opened up about his family and heritage.
‘Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu has been a Manchester United player for only a matter of weeks but the early signs have been encouraging,’ the article began.
‘One of four children, Patrick – who has a Christian middle name – is surrounded by a family who is religious but also embedded in sport, with two brothers who are footballers and a sister who plays handball.
‘Admittedly a Chelsea fan as a boy whose childhood idol was Eden Hazard, Patrick grew up in the Husum neighbourhood of Copenhagen to Nigerian parents who have always supported and encouraged their children’s education.’
The wing-back endured a nightmare home debut at Manchester United last month, gifting Ipswich down a goal with a clumsy error before being shown a red card for a reckless tackle on Omari Hutchinson.
Dorgu’s blushes were spared as Manchester United fought back to win 3-2 at Old Trafford, but he was forced to serve a three-match ban in the Premier League.
Having now completed his ban, the former Serie A star will be available for United after the international break when Amorim’s side face off against high-flying Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on April 1.
Dorgu (bottom row, centre) helped Manchester United to the Europa League quarter-finals after starring against Real Sociedad — a two-legged tie which the Red Devils won 5-2 on aggregate
Highly-rated starlet Chido Obi asked the club to remove ‘Martin’ from his name earlier this year
United sit 13th in the Premier League after another turbulent season at Old Trafford but are four games unbeaten in the competition after beating Leicester and Ipswich and drawing to Everton and Arsenal.
All hope of qualifying for Europe next season likely rests on their success in the Europa League, with the first and second leg of a huge quarter-final against Lyon scheduled for next month.