I have to smash it – Patrick Dorgu emulates Odion Ighalo following Arsenal stunner

Jan 26, 2026 - 14:30

Manchester United left back Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu has celebrated like Odion Ighalo after scoring a stunning goal in his side's 3-2 win against Arsenal, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 21-year-old joined the Red Devils just over a year ago, and towards the end of Ruben Amorim's spell, started playing in a more attacking role.

The decision paid off for United, as Dorgu scored a brilliant goal against Newcastle United before the club opted to part ways with the Portuguese tactician.

Michael Carrick has been appointed to take charge of the team on an interim basis until the end of the season.

Patrick Dorgu scores a goal to make it 1-2 during the Arsenal vs Manchester United Premier League match — Patrick Dorgu scores a goal to make it 1-2 during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium, London. Picture credit: David Klein/Imago

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Patrick Dorgu emulates Odion Ighalo's celebration

Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, to Nigerian parents, the former Lecce man has maintained his Nigerian roots, despite choosing to play for the Danish Dynamites internationally.

Patrick Dorgu celebrates his goal to make it 1-2 during the Arsenal vs Manchester United Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. Picture credit: ImagoxDavid Klein

After joining Manchester United, he made an important request to officially acknowledge his Nigerian heritage by incorporating his middle name, Chinazaekpere, into his details.

The Denmark International scored Manchester United's second goal at the Emirates Stadium last night, belting a volley off the underside of the crossbar into the back of David Raya's goal.

After the game, Dorgu took to his X page to celebrate, posting his pictures with the caption ‘In that position, I just had to smash it'.

The captioned statement became a thing during Odion Ighalo's loan spell at Manchester United from Shanghai Shenhua in 2020.

Odion Ighalo takes a knee for Black Lives Matter movement during the Carabao Cup 4th round match played behind closed doors between Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester United. Copyright: IMAGOxAndyxRowlandx

Like Dorgu, the former Watford striker scored a brilliant half-volley off the crossbar against LASK in the UEFA Europa League.

In the post-match presser, Ighalo lauded the pass from Bruno Fernandes that set him up, revealing he had no choice but to hit it given its good elevation, making the statement “I just had to smash it” popular.