'Bigger shock': Patrick Dorgu surprised by Man Utd star's exit

Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu has acknowledged that he was surprised by Rasmus Hojlund's departure to Napoli before the transfer deadline on September 1.

The Red Devils bolstered their strikeforce this summer with the purchase of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. As a result, Hojlund fell out of favour under manager Ruben Amorim.

He was no longer guaranteed a starting role and this paved the way for his loan move to Napoli. The Serie A champions have the obligation to buy him at the end of the campaign.

Speaking to reporters, Dorgu said that Christian Eriksen's free transfer was expected, but he was shocked by the fact that Hojlund had to move on too.

He said: "That’s how it is in football... We knew it would happen to Christian [Eriksen], but it was perhaps a bigger shock that Rasmus had to move on.

"I talked to him a lot during the process and could sense which way it was going. Hopefully, we will now see each other every time on the national team."

Romelu Lukaku's serious injury contributed to Hojlund's move to Naples. He is expected to lead their attack ahead of fellow summer signing Lorenzo Lucca.