Patrick Dorgu has officially claimed Manchester United's Goal of the Season award for the 2025/26 campaign, and it's easy to see why. The Red Devils' wide man produced an absolute rocket at the Emirates back in January, a strike that fans will be talking about for years.
It was a night to remember for United. Under interim boss Michael Carrick—just his second game in charge after a statement 2-0 win over Manchester City at Old Trafford—the team traveled to face an Arsenal side sitting top of the table and in blistering form. But the visitors left north London with a thrilling 3-2 victory, thanks in large part to Dorgu's moment of magic.
With the score locked at 1-1, the dynamic Dane—deployed as a left-winger by Carrick—burst through Arsenal's midfield. He played a brilliant double one-two with captain Bruno Fernandes, leaving three Gunners defenders in his wake. Then, with the goal in sight, he unleashed a howitzer of a half-volley that rifled into the top corner of David Raya's net. The ball crashed off the crossbar before crossing the line, a visceral, emphatic finish that left the Spanish goalkeeper with absolutely no chance.
Arsenal did equalize shortly after, but it was only a temporary reprieve. Matheus Cunha stepped up with his own outrageous long-range effort to seal all three points for United—a finish that fans voted into second place behind Dorgu's. Rounding out the top three was Bruno Fernandes' free-kick in the chaotic 4-4 draw against Bournemouth at Old Trafford, as confirmed by the club's website.
Looking back at the last ten winners of this prestigious award, Dorgu joins an elite list: Amad (2024/25 vs Manchester City), Garnacho (2023/24 vs Everton), Antony (2022/23 vs Barcelona), Ronaldo (2021/22 vs Tottenham), Fernandes (2020/21 vs Everton), Rashford (2019/20 vs Chelsea), Andreas (2018/19 vs Southampton), Matic (2017/18 vs Crystal Palace), and Henrikh Mkhitaryan (2016/17 vs Sunderland).
Dorgu's goal raises an interesting question, though: where does he fit best in Carrick's 4-2-3-1 system? He wasn't originally signed to play in this formation, but performances like this suggest he's making a strong case for a permanent spot on that left wing.