FANS SHOCKED after realizing why Patrick Dorgu told the referee not to give Man United a penalty as the Real Sociedad player won the ball, leading to VAR overturning the decision.
Manchester United’s dominant 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad in the Europa League last-16 tie was marked by an extraordinary display of sportsmanship from young defender Patrick Dorgu. With United leading 2-1 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate, they were awarded a penalty after the referee ruled that Hamari Traore had fouled Dorgu. However, rather than accept the decision, the 20-year-old signaled to the referee that no foul had actually taken place. His honesty prompted a VAR review, which confirmed his claim, leading to the penalty being overturned.
Dorgu’s actions quickly gained recognition from fans, pundits, and even his manager, Ruben Amorim, who expressed his pride in the defender’s integrity. Amorim admitted that while he admired Dorgu’s decision, he wasn’t sure how easy it would be to make such a call in a more crucial situation, such as when the game was tied or if United were trailing. In a sport where winning is often prioritized above all else, moments of fairness like this stand out.
United went on to dominate the match, with Bruno Fernandes delivering a stunning hat-trick and Diogo Dalot adding another goal to secure a 5-2 aggregate victory. Yet, despite the impressive result, Dorgu’s decision became one of the night’s most talked-about moments, serving as a powerful reminder that honesty and fair play still have a place in football.
